<p>so i'm wondering, how effective(?dunno if thats the right word to use) are hooks like these,
URM, immigrant (somalian)
escaped from civil war
10yrs in the Us
extremely low-income family-both parents are disabled thus unemployed
first generation to go to college, or even apply
fluency in 2 languages (somali/english, plus a third which i'm in the 5th level of(french), a 4th which i can only read (arabic).</p>
<p>would all these be factored as one hook, or do they have the potential to be multi-hooks? are sum of these even hooks at all? thnx in advance for the responses.</p>
<p>i would def say that is a hook, especially if you wrote some really great essays about it. and arabic is really useful, especially if you made it clear that you wanted to study it more in college.</p>
<p>what if you dont necessarily write an essay on it, does it diminish the value of the hook? i' thought it be too whiny. but yea i c, writing a great essay and also tying it with ur hook, cant be so bad, its probably a win&win situation. I'd probably minor in arabic studies, but gtown is the only app that i'll actually mention that in.</p>
<p>i don't think it is "whiny" to talk about something that clearly had a HUGE impact on yours and your parents' lives. don't write it like "feel sorry for me," but write about how it has made you a stronger person or something. what have you learned about this or how has it affected what you want to do w/ your life?</p>
<p>tell your life story about how you are a refugee - not only will it help your chances of getting into college it will help you get into college - especially if you mention that your parents are disabled</p>
<p>people like you make me proud of what a great country i live in that great people, despite terrible obstacles in their life - overcome these and will go to college - and ultimately be successful - keep up the great work in your life. </p>
<p>im 1st generation of irish immigrants and both my parents were really poor and ran away from home at an early age when their parents tried to make them drop out of school to help them on the farms ~ they came out to this country and have worked hard, and brought me into a middle class suburb and send me to a catholic high school - they gave me a chance to be successful and I hope I do not fail them and ruin all of their hard work ~ you seem like a good example of someone who has not failed their parents </p>
<p>mike, ur story moves me, i hope you do well, and get into the college you desire. thnx again for ur help, ur concious of your parents struggle, and your desire to not only satisfy them but yourself aswell, is to be commended.</p>
<p>thanks good luck with ur college search, i think with a story like yours you should be able to get into a great college - i dont know your grades or SAT scores or anything - but im sure you will get into some college through your determination</p>
<p>and im sure that even if you do not get into ivy league or ultra competitive college you will make the best of your education and become successful in your life</p>
<p>As far as essays go, you could definitely write about your experience - but tie it into how it influences your future and your passions. Don't simply state your story and end it with a cliche ("It drives me to succeed/make my parents proud/blah blah blah"), MAKE IT ORIGINAL. THAT is what will make you stand out from the thousands of other applicants.</p>
<p>You can always add the information in the "Additional Information" section of your application as well, so even if your heritage isn't your essay topic, you can still let the colleges know where you're coming from.</p>