<p>I am a bit confused on what qualifies as a "hook". Is a dramatic expierence overcome considered a hook? Sorry if I sound clueless...but I am</p>
<p>a hook is basically an EC or award that really sets you apart from other applicants and is interesting and unique.....anyone have any examples?</p>
<p>Well I think a hook is that part of your application you think should get you in. It could be your amazing academic record/EC's/awards/ and I think if your a URM.</p>
<p>it could be an experience, but usually it depends on what you mean by experience.....</p>
<p>elaborate more</p>
<p>examples are:</p>
<p>recruited athlete
being black/hispanic/native american
National/International Math/Science Competitions (USAMO/USABO/etc)
legacy (kinda)
prestigious awards (intel/seimens)</p>
<p>A hook is anything that makes you unique from the thousands of other applicants out there.</p>
<p>Some of mine include: I've gone to 14 schools, I'm Filipino, marched in the Rose Parade.</p>
<p>How about a traumatic expierence...something along the lines of (but not, as it is too personal), I don't know, a parent going to jail for an extended period of time but still maintaining a very good GPA and EC's ect at a very competitive prep school?</p>
<p>anything...</p>
<p>a curved metal extension in place of a pirate's hand. </p>
<p>i send my hooks with my college apps via fedex 2-day</p>
<p>how do you quote someone.........but flybass answear is probably the best explanation their is</p>
<p>being gay.</p>
<p>I'm a very low-income homeschooler, could that be a hook?</p>
<p>is being gay really a hook??</p>
<p>sofia -- there are alot of homeschoolers out there applying to top schools, many low-income. If there is something in your homeschooling experience that really sets you apart, that could be a hook.</p>
<p>like where do you talk about hooks???
in your personal essay( i am assuming)???
what if you have several completly unrelated hooks</p>
<p>if you think you have several unrelated hooks -- I don't think you understand the meaning of a "hook".</p>
<p>A hook is something very unique and simply outstanding. Something that makes a person say "wow".</p>
<p>Think -- olympic gold medalist, dependent of the president, publishing a book (not self-publish -- but a big time publisher)</p>
<p>it can also be an interest or passion that you have that is unique -- something that no one else does. This passions would have to be something done at a very high level.</p>
<p>It can also be something that the school is really looking for -- recruited athlete or african-american/hispanic/native american</p>
<p>usually your "hook" is obvious when someone looks at your activites/extracurriculars. It can also be discussed in your essay. If it is something material (published book, broadway play you wrote, solo at Carnegie Hall) you can include a portfolio or CD.</p>
<p>Very few applicants actually have a "hook" -- so don't think that just because you don't have one that you have no chance at getting into a school.</p>
<p>^ Summarized perfectly. One thing I would add: the big three hooks are legacy, athlete and URM. These are "process" hooks - admissions departments have special files, different colors for the folders, etc. to decide these. Everything else may make you stand out, but there isn't a separate review process for having great ECs, for instance.</p>
<p>i know what the definition of a hook is but you never answeared my question... what if you have more than one....then what would you do
i dont care if you think its never heard off to have more than one hook</p>
<p>what do u mean more than one? what are urs?</p>
<p>it depends on what your multiple hooks are -- minorities and legacies have a place to indicate that on the application. Recruited athletes have a coach that tells admissions that a certain student is wanted.</p>
<p>other "hooks" -- it depends on the hook. Like I said -- if you wrote a book, were in a broadway play, sang a solo at carnegie -- then send in a cd/book.</p>
<p>Other hooks may show up when you list your ECs and Awards -- If you were elected mayor of your city or on the US olympic team that is going to show up on the application.</p>
<p>Otherwise -- you are going to have to discuss it in your essay.</p>
<p>I disagree that legacies are a hook -- at least at ivies. Unless they have solid stats, even kids with double legacies are getting rejected. I would say that legacies are a "tip" --something that may help a kid on the fence, but it certainly doesn't mean that the kid is "in".</p>
<p>another hook that hasn't been mentioned -- major school donor or potential donor. If you parents give the school major money ($1 million+) that is a definite hook.</p>