<p>By looking at the forums, I've realized that a hook is something that makes you stand out........right?</p>
<p>I mean, what constitutes as a hook?
So far, I count ethnicity, a job, a disability, and a impressive acheivement as hooks. Anything else? For example, I'm going to apply next year, so I assume the following would be hooks for me...</p>
<p>-URM( I think that mean minority, correct me if I'm wrong and what ethnicities fall under this)
-Designed a large scale construction company website(in progress)
-Worked and am working in a medium size construction company, earlier on as a manual hand then working my way up to project management and eventually putting together a whole house (from client to drywall to sale)
-Low income family</p>
<p>Since you guys have the experience, I'll ask you.... How powerful are my hooks? I'm shooting for UTAustin, UCBerkeley, Cornell and Princeton(all OOS)</p>
<p>Thanks a lot guys!</p>
<p>Those things you mentioned, albeit certainly interesting, are slightly short of being considered "hooks."</p>
<p>There are many URM applicants, unless your URM status is noticably unique (ie. your from some obscure country or are of an ethnicity which the college RARELY received applicants from)</p>
<p>The website thing is common, not particularly interesting either. This is definately not a hook.</p>
<p>The construction things seems interesting, and admissions would probably need more information to call it a "hook." You say you will EVENTUALLY put this house together, but does that mean BEFORE you apply to college? If you started the company yourself, built the house almost alone, and sold it alone, then that would be ever-so-close to being hook status. But if you just helped build a house, well, quite frankly, that's not even very interesting.</p>
<p>Low income families do get a bump similar to that of URMs. However, not to be insulting here, but many URMs are indeed low income, so your situation isn't particularly interesting.</p>
<p>Being low income, your parents may have never attended college? If so, that also benefits your admissions prospects.</p>
<p>Overall, you have a distinguished situation. It's not quite a "hook," as in it secures your acceptance to competitive colleges. Being an URM always helps, and so does low income at many (need-blind) colleges.</p>
<p>This topic was a featured discussion. Look for it.</p>
<p>OK, can you possible direct me to this thread?</p>
<p>Also, what about working to support the family?</p>