How do you create a hook?

Applying to College
1

<p>Out of about the top 15 kids in our grade who all applied early to ivys/stanford, 1 PERSON GOT IN. I realized that no one who applied had a really big enough hook. So how do I make a hook for myself? I have a lot of stuff I do, but there are lots of ther people out there who do what I do.</p>

<p>Here are my ECs:</p>

<p>Clubs
Graphics Club - prez/founder
School Newspaper - GRAPHICS editor
Renaissance Magazine/Club
Student Council - Representative
Member of Stock Market Club
Mock Trial - state champs
Chemistry Club - state champs
National Honors Society
French National Honors Society Cabinet Member</p>

<p>Sports
Running: varsity, all-conference, all-state honorable mention
Cross Country
Indoor Track
Outdoor Track</p>

<p>Community Service<br>
Volunteer at Adult Day Care Center
Connecticut Special Olympics Volunteer
March of Dimes Volunteer
TAPS mentor for incoming freshman</p>

<p>Work Experience<br>
Part-time work doing insurance billing at a Health Company</p>

<p>Youth Soccer Referee</p>

<p>Graphics/Web Designer for two music labels</p>

<p>Developed and tested quantitative models for trading currency in the forex market</p>

<p>I bolded all the graphics related stuff I do</p>

2

<p>It's probably too late now to have a true "hook", unless you suddenly discover you are the top in your state at some sport, or that you are an amazing oboe player.</p>

3

<p>momofwildchild, i think I might have something, I just maybe didn't showcase it in my application. Once I figure out a hook, I can showcase it.</p>

<p>I am good at 2 things: Graphics and Running
Both of them are pretty common I would think</p>

<p>The only thing I see different on mine is that I developed/tested quantitative models for buying/selling currency in the forex market</p>

4

<p>I thought hooks were more complicated than suddenly having one just because you feel like it. Take what you've got and make do, what you already have isn't bad at all.</p>

5

<p>If you focus your attention on those two things, it'll show you have dedication and some distinct interests. Whether or not they are jaw-dropping enough to be a hook... hmmm......</p>

6

<p>In my opinion, the hook doesn't matter so much as strong essays will. The essays can be your hook, and they can be extremely effective ones.</p>

7

<p>I dunno, i ran a marathon. I know that this is a hook, i just dont know how big a hook it is. any answers?</p>

8

<p>usually, hooks have already been with you for a long, long time. you can<code>t invent or create one in your, let</code>s say, sophomore year (unless some miracle appears). it`s like studying for a test. you need to review it night by night, not cramming it right before the test (although i seem to not do what i say).</p>

<p>instead of thinking about hooks, why not make your profile stronger with good recommendations and essays?</p>

9

<p>Just a wonderment...Does everyone need a hook when applying? Surely not everyone has an unusual interest/has done something spectacular/is someone spectacular? This may sound stupid, I don't know. What if you're a regular person who writes a great essay with great recs etc. Do you still have a chance at getting into an ivy place if they think you're a good match?</p>

10

<p>
[quote]
What if you're a regular person who writes a great essay with great recs etc. Do you still have a chance at getting into an ivy place if they think you're a good match?

[/quote]

OF COURSE. At least, as good a chance as any of us. Don't let CC take over your sense of reality. :)</p>

11

<p>Not everyone has a hook. The only true hooks are:</p>

<p>-Legacy
-URM
-Celebrity, etc.
-Passion</p>

<p>The most common is of course the 4th, but Harvard likes legacy the best. And just the existence of this thread shows that you do not have a passion. Otherwise, you would know what your hook is. Sorry. Not everyone has a hook anyways.</p>

12

<p>Haha thanks mirror! Yeh, I also thought passion and hook go hand-in-hand a lot of the time (at least for me). Confusing (or maybe it's just 3am)! </p>

<p>URM?</p>

13

<p>...And recruited athlete.</p>

<p>And that's pretty much it. The only other way to get a hook is to take a piece of wire and bend it.</p>

14

<p>P.S. Reeze: I doubt this will help but I think your graphics would be an interesting hook. My little sister is also a big graphics/music person and has put on shows, created a zine with great reviews, has a little portfolio. If you're doing it an uni and can write well, I'd find it interesting! Good luck!</p>

15

<p>
[quote]
URM?

[/quote]

Are you asking what that means? In affirmative action some minorities can have a slight advantage because they're not as representative. Their politically correct words are "African American, Native American, or Hispanic", I believe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.</p>

<p>Edit - silly me, I forgot to add what it actually stood for: Underrepresented Minority</p>

16

<p>Ooh ok, I know what it means. So now, is a hook something that can get you in (like URM, a legacy, an athlete...) or is it something personal to you (I broke a world record, I got a book published at age 7...). Or both? I'm just curious.</p>

<p>by the way, I have not done either of those things unfortunately.</p>

17

<p>Both are hooks.</p>

<p>Mirror<em>of</em>dirt, "In affirmative action some minorities can have a slight advantage because they're not as representative." --slight? I think it's a little more than slight. Harvard fills their class with 15% URMs.</p>

18

<p>
[quote]
slight? I think it's a little more than slight. Harvard fills their class with 15% URMs.

[/quote]

Ehh, I don't wanna cause any conflict. If I say big somebody always picks a fight and it's not worth it to debate. I don't mean anything offensive when I say it's a big advantage, so I don't see why they get offended. </p>

<p>So now I stick to slight. And that way everyone's happy. :)</p>

19

<p>I thought RSI was a hook until I got deferred from Harvard. :(</p>

20

<p>Oh man, what does RSI mean?</p>