<p>Hi all :)
I have mixed feelings about stressing a hook in my application. But I'm not even sure if it would count for anything at Harvard.</p>
<p>As a South East Asian student who attends an IB school, would it help if my parents are prominent national political figures? This is a third world country.</p>
<p>My family background has really affected how I am, my interests (political, international relations) and activities (MUN, debate, writing). None of my family members are legacies at Harvard, no particular ties or donations. So would this serve as a "hook" unto itself? Or would it have to be central in my essay for it to count for anything (and how much?)</p>
<p>it definitely can't hurt, and i would say it's probably a hook. also, if it's affected you so tremendously you should definitely stress it in your app to some extent.</p>
<p>I would also say that its a hook.
I would not write entirely about your parents, but you could choose a particular instance wherein their careers affected you positively.
I don't think it would be wise to write about them in relation to every single thing on your application. </p>
<p>But that is cool. Definitely bring it up in your interview.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses guys. And sorry for the poor phrasing. I didn't mean to say that I'm planning to write my essay about my parents. That would be quite odd :P.</p>
<p>Though, would you say that this "hook" would allow me a decent shot with great ECs, average scores and a poor GPA (3.9 uw IB Diploma)? Has anyone with that GPA gotten into Harvard at all? :o</p>
<p>Would this be a "big deal" that would make a long shot into a decent shot? Or would it merely count as a mere afterthought, like just another EC?</p>
<p>Both Harvard and Columbia accept kids with an average weighted GPA of about 99 at our school. Average SAT for Columbia is about 1400/1600 while it's closer to 1520/1600 for Harvard. How much of a hook your parent would be probably depends on the position. Prime Minister, president? Big hook. Minister, cabinet level? Less so.</p>
<p>There's generally some forgiveness for lower freshman year grades, how much is hard to say. Stanford is the only top school I know of that says they don't look at freshman year grades at all.</p>
<p>Sounds like you could write an interesting essay about how your family has gotten you interested in politics.</p>
<p>Is your parent a head of state or member of a royal family? I'd say that's a hook. If your parents are cabinet members or leading legislators, I'd say that's fodder for a very interesting essay.</p>