Hooks?

<p>How much does stanford take into consideration being a URM and 1st generation student for admissions? I'm hispanic and a 1st generation student so i wanted to know if this is a good "hook" at Stanford or how much it will help me in admission.</p>

<p>it shouldn't be the <em>only</em> thing going for you; it might be wise to have other "hooks". i have no idea how much it helps. no one on this board really does, but they can offer other information.</p>

<p>I agree with ajimmykid. I don't think those qualify as hooks... maybe they qualify as "slight bumps". Focus on grades, extracurriculars, and finding something you enjoy so you can convey that in your application. Perhaps you could write about how your family, despite having no college education, has given you constant support and has helped you maintain a drive and achieve more than they have (I don't know if this is true for you, but I'm just throwing an idea out there). So, again, you can talk about how being hispanic and/or a 1st generation student have shaped you, but they won't get you into college on their own.</p>

<p>It will help you only if you describe what knowledge you have acquired from a situation regarding it, otherwise it's just something unique that could have an impact on your app.</p>

<p>Thanks for the input. I do have strong stats and good ec's, and so i was just thinking that being hispanic and first generation would give me just a little more of a boost for admission, but im definitely not counting on those factors alone for admission.</p>

<p>Yeah, it's not a hook. This is what how it helps you:</p>

<p>If the admissions officer has one spot left and has narrowed it down between you and a second generation white girl with equal stats and ECs, you're likely to get the spot.</p>

<p>it won't hurt you by any means, but it won't get you in.</p>

<p>it's like what bandtenhut said.</p>

<p>i know a 1st generation hispanic that applied w/ decent stats and stuff and got rejected. but i know a lot more who got in. not that many more. </p>

<p>anyway, yes it will help you to some extent. but not THAT much.</p>