<p>For admitted and current students:
You all had the grades and the SAT/ACT scores. What were the hooks that got you into NU?</p>
<p>no one will know for sure what really got someone in, but i submitted a lot of supplemental materials (pieces of writing i had, letters of congratulations for various accomplishments, etc.)</p>
<p>Hooks can consist of leadership experience, demonstrated commitment to extracurricular activities and/or volunteer work, impressive writing ability, very special awards (US Presidential Scholar, National Merit Scholar), etc.</p>
<p>I know what hooks are or can be. I'm asking, for those who got into NU, what were your specific hooks?</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, NU didn't inform me as to why their decision was an acceptance vs. a rejection, but two other acceptance letters did specify why they selected me. Perhaps NU also admired my ambition inside & outside the classroom. I've been employed for 3 years in a field of interest; my EC's covered 4 years of involvement except for newspaper, which was 2 yrs.; I'm a 2-sport varsity athlete, and dedicated to a few community causes. </p>
<p>As for the SAT/ACT scores - OUCH. I can't take a standardized test to save my life. My scores were so average. My grades were good, but not fantastic. Once again, tests and I don't mingle. However, instead of falling prey to the mediocrity, I focused on a strength - tenacity and ignored a weakness, test taking. In an all honors/AP curriculum for 4 yrs., a ho hum 3.8 (weighted) is what kept me humble yet forced me to look outside academics for definition. I think how I dealt with glaring weaknesses paid off.</p>
<p>I didn't have any specific "hook." I wasn't "an athlete," although I did participate in sports, I didn't play a musical instrument and wasn't in chorus, I wasn't involved in theater or robotics, I had no legacy at NU.</p>
<p>I think my application was well-rounded. I held a lot of leadership positions in student government and clubs that were of interest to me. </p>
<p>I did a lot of meaningful volunteer work around a certain theme, had a high gpa, had strong SATs, strong SAT IIs. I was happy with my essays and I assume the readers must have been, too. </p>
<p>I know I had good recommendations from my teachers and guidance counselor. I was very interested in NU and that was apparent because I attended the Discover NU program, as well as a program put on in my state. I applied ED because I love it there and it is a good fit for me.</p>
<p>I am a hard worker and am passionate about a few things and I think my application accurately reflected who I am. I guess they were looking for someone like me.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if well-roundedness would be a 'hook' since the majority of applicants to NU are most likely well-rounded students to begin with.</p>
<p>This may not classify as a hook per se, but I designed a website as a supplement to my application. I've constructed a couple for some organizations in the past, and I figured it was something I could confidently claim as a talent so I produced sort of an online resume.</p>
<p>It's hard to say if it played a role in my admission to NU, but I like to think it counted somewhere in the process. But that's just an example, I know a few of my friends who submitted art portfolios, despite applying for a spot in the college of arts and sciences, to showcase something other than academic passion.</p>
<p>That could definitely be a hook. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Thanks all, that's what I was looking for. So, it's not necessary to cure cancer over the summertime :-)</p>
<p>
[quote]
So, it's not necessary to cure cancer over the summertime :-)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>not unless you want to get into HPME ;)</p>
<p>What does the E stand for?</p>
<p>E for education (Honors Program in Medical Education)</p>