How much does a hook help?

<p>Hi everyone, I am a Latino and am also first generation. I have the stats that most applicants have (great GPA, etc). However, will these hooks put me "over the top"?</p>

<p>It depends greatly on where you’re looking.</p>

<p>At HYPS, maybe. But the sad truth is, at any highly selective college they may still read your application and say, “Good applicant, but we have better first-generation Latinos this year.”</p>

<p>Yes, I mean mainly schools such as HYPS.</p>

<p>hard to say without seeing your most excellent stats.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.96 (UW) and 4.6 (W)
Rank: 20/576</p>

<p>SAT I: 2160 (based on a few tests I took from Blue Book)
SAT II: Biology: 790, Math II: 760, History: 780</p>

<p>APs: Human Geography(5), Biology (5), APES (5), World History (5) </p>

<p>Junior year: AP Physics B, AP Lang, AP Chem, AP Psychology, AP Euro, APUSH, pre-calc H
Senior year: AP Lit. , AP Calc AB, AP Macro/US Gov’t, AP Physics C (maybe), AP Art History</p>

<p>ECs:
Volunteering at Children’s Science Museum: 9, 10, 11, 12
Volunteering at Library: 10, 11, 12
Part of my communities Orchestra: 10, 11, 12 (1st chair)
Chemistry Club: 10, 11, 12
National Honor Society: 11, 12
Science National Hnors Society: 11, 12
Science Olympiad: 11, 12
French Club: 9, 10, 11, 12
French National Honor Society: 10, 11, 12</p>

<p>Leadership:
1st chair in orchestra
VP of French Club and French Honor Society
VP of Chemistry Club
Might have more, i dont know yet (maybe envi president/co-president)</p>

<p>Awards:
National AP Scholar
Some minor school awards
Will prob win some next year at scince olympiad</p>

<p>I live in Florida and my school is VERY, VERY competitive. </p>

<p>I really, really, really like science. (biology/psychology/neuro mainly) The fact that you can know how and why we are alive and how everything works is pretty cool, to me. So, obviously, I want to do something science related.</p>