<p>Simply put, a hook is something that sets one apart from the mass of applicants. This could include anything extraordinary that would add to the diversity of the student body. Having an interesting hobby or passion would be a small hook; being a urm or from a state with few applicants would be a medium hook; winning the Olympics/winning a large international or national competition (e.g. Intel, Siemens)/participating in RSI would be large hooks.</p>