Hi, I am just wondering how much of a factor hooks play into college admissions. I’ve had multiple brain surgeries due to a brain tumor, and I am just wondering how much this will impact my chances. Thanks
Hooks can be very important. An unhooked 4.0/2300 applicant has a 10% chance, at best, at Harvard or Princeton. But if the same applicant is also a recruited athlete, their chances are close to 100%.
I don’t see how multiple surgeries would affect anyone’s chances.
While the surgeries may not be a hook by themselves, they may be an interesting essay topic. How did you react to having to go through something like that, and how did you overcome those difficulties in your life?
Hooks = recruited athlete, legacy, URM, first gen (at some schools)
What if I’m an immigrant, but my dad got a degree at ITT Tech? I’m an Asian low-income student, and my father recently passed away. Does the low-income and crippling family/financial situation/immigrant status overcome the Asian ORM stuff or am I still at a disadvantage?
Also what does it look like to colleges a young Asian male with bad financial situation, average GPA (with hard classes) and 99th percentile test scores?
Sorry but see #3. You’ll just need to apply wisely into a wide variety of schools. You have no hook
A hook is something you bring to the college. Athlete, parent donor, better URM stats. Why do you think being low income with a crippled financial situation would be a plus? Sorry. Make sure you have a safety you can afford (like with assured merit aid) that you would be happy to attend.
Yep. That’s not a hook, although it might yield a fascinating personal statement.