<p>What exactly would be considered one? does it vary from what the person does?</p>
<p>National achievement in a field is generally considered a hook (ex. winning siemen's, making any sort of national/international science olympiad)</p>
<p>Writing a book (and getting it published) can be a hook.</p>
<p>Being an amazing athlete, too. (Like winning junior olympics amazing)</p>
<p>Curing cancer would also be a potential one.</p>
<p>something thats happened to you that you don't know of it happening to many other people</p>
<p>Ps Tako im like less than 5 miles away from you</p>
<p>Hey would creating company (computer repair company) at 15 years old count? What if that person (me cough) was also A+, Network + , Server + , Project+, CCNA,HTI+ , Security + , and MSCA all before senior year ? And what if this company had county wide comericals and utiple technicians many out of high school? And what if the owner (ahem me) made hundreads of thousands a year from the company? </p>
<p>Is that a hook? Dont wanna brag just want to know. </p>
<p>Otherwise im back to trying to invent a new motherboard chipset process...</p>
<p>something that can catch fish</p>
<p>pillows</p>
<p>LOL nice.</p>
<p>also another thing, is it good to put if you've traveled alot? I've been to tons of places around 40 states and 70 countries</p>
<p>^ I don't think that would count unless you know like 5 languages/lived there
but thats just my opinion</p>
<p>dam that sucks, ok w/e</p>
<p>If you'll have lived in three countries during high school, could that be a small hook?</p>
<p>Knowing five languages is a hook??? :) </p>
<p>I always thought that was like nice, but nothing special...</p>
<p>Maybe small hook? Like, makes you more interesting, but not the kind of major hook that gets you in a lot more easily?</p>
<p>ok but it would be a good decision to indlude this stuff?</p>
<p>OK, I don't think this is a major, hook, but could be a semi- one.</p>
<p>I was thinking of directing a musical at a local public school near my house, where they just opened last year and like NO public grammar schools in my area put on musicals- it would be a first time for this school, which doesn't have much of a music program as it is. I think it would be a great opportunity to show my passion for theater, leadership, and get oodles of community service. </p>
<p>Should I go for it??</p>
<p>I am a bit worried because I have absolutely no hook. I thought that I had a hook, but it really is nothing unusual compared to all other CCers. </p>
<p>My hook was going to be the fact that I am in the top 5 percent of my class while working 30 hours a week at a pharmacy (plan on majoring in pharmacy) and taking extra classes in addition to the classes I take at school. Usually students at my school take 4 classes, but I am taking the 4 at school, and taking additional courses at night. Thus far I have taken Honors Astronomy, Spanish 1, and I am currently taking AP Environmental Science. Next semester I will be taking APUSH and AP Euro.</p>
<p>Yeah.. I know.. It isn't a hook; it isn't unusual to do what I am doing compared to you guys. But, whatever. At least I don't think it is a hook. I honestly have no idea... I guess I will just hope I get accepted without a hook.</p>
<p>a hook, imo, is having something that the school needs or wants and you have.</p>
<p>a few examples</p>
<p>situation:
a school recently starts a marching band program and wants to field 300 players.</p>
<p>hook:
you've done marching band for 5 years for your high school, have been a section leader, and possibly drum major. you played for a local drum core outside of school during the senior year of high school. you possibly made regionals or all state for your respective instrument.</p>
<p>Example 2:
a school is trying to expand its Italian department from 20 students to 40 students. You have studied abroad in italy for a semester or a year during high school, speak italian fluently, and plan on majoring in italian. You've taken AP italian and done very well in it - or you perhaps self studied italian.</p>
<p>doing something special isn't necessarily a hook if it doesn't offer anything to a school.</p>
<p>What if its a "bad hook"?
IE... I was bulimic and I had to go to rehab for a year (freshman year) but now I'm totally over it...?
I bet not many people on CC can say that ;)
Although I don't think they would want to..</p>
<p>icerair:</p>
<p>Thatcould turn put to be a good thing. You had an issue and were able to over come it. That could look nice but as you said could also be a detriment. Depends on the admissions officer.</p>
<p>I hope people don't get the idea that they need to have done some amazing thing that is nationally recognized to be admitted to a top-tier school. There are definitely people like that, but not everyone at a top school is that phenomenal (though they are very special in their own way :))</p>
<p>I apologize if this comes off as arrogant or boasting, but I want to give you a real example.</p>
<p>In high school, I was drum major of the marching band for 3 years (soph-sen); the band did very well in state competitions, and I learned a lot about leadership, priorities, teaching skills, and responsibility. I did the typical NHS... also Science Olympiad (leadership roles in both). A good number of academic and EC awards, such as Most Outstanding Player in Wind Ensemble for 3 years and Achievement in Mathematics. Volunteered at a hospital for 2.5 years, but I was in a gift shop... not really rewarding. Swam for a year. Good numerical statistics. More random, smaller activities. I was admitted to every school I applied to, including Harvard and Princeton.</p>
<p>So what was my "hook", if I had one? I most certainly didn't do anything that was nationally recognized; not even state-wide, unless you count my marching band placing 6th at state championships. My hook was probably a strong involvement in the music program and consistent leadership (this came with great letters of rec).</p>
<p>My point is to find something you are passionate about and stick to it! If you just go through school, doing pretty well, but not truly enjoying anything in particular, then you probably lack a hook. Explore, and find an interest. Colleges want to see your personality, see that you have a drive to learn, and see that you have had valuable experiences that have shaped who you are.</p>
<p>what if someone wrote a book in chinese in middle school and had it published..in china
is that a hook?</p>