<p>What are good hooks- extra interesting thing that is unique or strong to get you into an IVY? And please, skip over first generation college student or legacy factor. Something that I have accomplished, maybe? Not something from my parents that I have to bank on, cause they got nothin' :)</p>
<p>Congratulations on your accomplishments to date. If I may, let me say that you look practically indistinguishable from 1000s of others who will be applying to those very schools. You’re asking the wrong question. </p>
<p><strong><em>You already ARE interesting and unique or you AREN’T interesting/unique.</em></strong></p>
<p>It’s not something you DO but already exhibit day to day, and it’s known by your peers, teachers, advisors/coaches and school administration.</p>
<p>You’re falling into the same worn path that so many others do here on CC: you ask for tips and clubs and suggestions. Whom do YOU find interesting and influential at your school? Are you like them? Do you truly influence others or are you looking to mimic some Ivy applicant ideal?</p>
<p>What will catch someone’s attention is not your laundry list of things you’ve done – but who you are. Even your posting your question of “how do I make myself look interesting” may show that you don’t know what it is to BE interesting. Ask yourself: if no one ever knew what you did – or saw your resume, which of those things would you do?</p>
<p>Successful applicants I’ve know to schools you’re targeting have a focus, an innate “I’m going somewhere, getting something done” attitude that transcends the college they eventually attend. They possess a deep hunger for learning or affecting the people around them. They are already on a trajectory to do amazing things – and college is practically an afterthought.</p>
<p>Something else, a lot of schools do something called “demonstrated interest”, where if you sign up and go take a tour of the campus, it gets recorded by the school, and supposedly gives you a tiny boost when it comes time to review your application. This is especially true when taking a tour of one specific school (say, engineering) inside of a university (say, Cornell), it shows that you not only have an idea of where you want to go, but what you really want to do.</p>
<p>Before jumping on Johnknight’s advice: you should also know that MANY schools don’t care about “demonstrated interest”. This can be checked at each colleges’ Common Data Set, section C. Easy to google.</p>
<p>Honestly if you aren’t a first generation immigrant with a disability, don’t try to pretend you are. Be yourself and find what in your life makes you unique. What are your passions and how have you gone above and beyond to pursue them? If you really haven’t and you can’t think of anything, you probably shouldn’t be applying to ivy league schools. They are selective for a reason.</p>