<p>question about college admissions:
Is a 'hook' something that advantageous that you have but few others do? I haven't looked the term up in context, but if I have interpreted it correctly, would any of you consider being a student pilot (soon to be private pilot) a hook?</p>
<p>sorry for posting twice, must have done something wrong</p>
<p>I definately think that would be considered a hook. I love aviation and would love to get my Private Pilot's License, but I haven't time. I hope to start in the spring. I'm relying on my love with aviation to be my hook. I'd like to enter the industry through business and basically all of my essay reflect my desire and passion. The only problem with aviation is that its hard to have EC's besides PPL that back it up.</p>
<p>a hook can mean two things some say that a hook is an uncontrolable thing such as race (urm) legacy and being a recruted athlete. (rec ath is controlable i guess) </p>
<p>the other definition is that it is an interesting and highly developed ec that only you possess. all other candidates might have the same test scores/grades/ecs as you, but you might be one of the few pilots that apply. show passion in a particular field. that is what i think a hook is.</p>
<p>gcards- yes. A lot of my free time is spent working towards my license, and I am counting on admissions people to be able to recognize that its a big chunk. Ugh I should have started an aviation club at my school.</p>
<p>A hook is generally something that can't be bought. Anybody can pay the money to get a pilot's license or learn to dive. Those aren't hooks. Now, if you became world famous because of your flying, that's a hook. Hooks are generally, URM, recruited athlete, legacy, fame, deeeep pockets, etc. It's not the license or the skill, it's what you do with it that counts. Same with leadership. So what if you were NHS prez if you sat on your butt and did nothing with it.</p>
<p>I believe a hook is a particular characteristic or possibly a combination of some that sets the applicant a part from the others in the applicant pool. Being a URM or legacy probably can't be considered a hook anymore (but rather a tip factor) since there are now so many of them. Unless of course if only a few URMs or legs apply then it could be considered a hook. Being a celebrity is a hook but not if several hundred are also applying. It all depends on the current applicant pool. IMO</p>
<p>Although I think that that's interesting, I don't think that it's a hook. I know several kids who fly at my tiny school.</p>
<p>bandit_TX has it right. Being a pilot is an EC. Being a world-famous pilot is a hook. </p>
<p>One way to think about it: A hook is a characteristic about the applicant that is of benefit TO THE COLLEGE. Having a pilot's license is a very good EC. It may well help get you admitted, but it doesn't benefit the college much to admit a pilot. But it can benefit them to admit a URM, legacy, rich kid, famous person, son or daughter of big politicians, etc. Those are hooks.</p>
<p>So be sure to make mention of the pilot thing on your application; it's a worthy EC - it's just not a hook.</p>
<p>great, thanks guys.</p>
<p>I would argue that if you're NHS prez or whatever, they have no idea whether you were a really good one or a lazy one. I don't see how they would at least</p>
<p>Flying is absolutely amazing. I replied in your other thread.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I would argue that if you're NHS prez or whatever, they have no idea whether you were a really good one or a lazy one. I don't see how they would at least
[/quote]
They likely won't if you don't tell them. That's why its not that great of an EC. There are thousands with the same claim. </p>
<p>However, if you tell them that as prez of NHS you established a tutoring program for underprivileged elementary students and the organization now tutors an average of 100 hours a week, now you have real leadership. It makes a real difference in your appeal.</p>