Hello! I am a high school junior from Montgomery County Public Schools, and I’ve been recently quite interested in researching ways to boost my college applications. A common theme that I have seen throughout the internet is that students with a “hook” have a tendency to stand out at stronger applicants. As far as types of hooks go, I spend a lot of time in the music department, and so I think that a music student hook would be my best angle (I of course understand that a “hook” does not replace academic achievement; they at best enhance the application).
As far as my activities in the music program, I have participated in our school production’s pit orchestra all 4 years (we play the original broadway score as opposed to a modified student version, should I include the level of difficulty in my application?)
I also have participated in the marching band my sophomore and junior year, and I plan to continue into my senior year as well. In addition to being a member of the band, I am the section leader for the high woodwinds.
I hope to be awarded the position of drum major; I am very careful about my behavior around my band director and I have been privately preparing for the audition for several months now. I cannot garuntee that I will be awarded the position; however I have spoken to our previous drum major and he believes that I am an extremely qualified candidate, and I have a positive relationship with my band director. There is another girl auditioning who is serious competition but we have complimentary skills and our band director often selects two drum majors.
I have not yet attempted to audition for TRI-M (our music society) but I plan on doing it senior year before applications (I realize I should have done this earlier and highly regret not doing so)
As far as other aspects of the music program go, I have participated and will continue to participate in the Honors Symphonic Band all four years. Also, I plan on getting a letter of recommendation from my band director/ music teacher, and I also plan on being one of his student aids next year.
Is there any way that I could strengthen my hook before college application deadlines approach? We have a relatively large music department, so it is likely that we provide similar oppurtunities that other high school music departments provide. The colleges I am applying to are quite competitive, and I am eagerly searching for any way to boost and strengthen my application. I am extremely grateful for any suggestions; all ideas and advice are greatly appreciated.
What you have is not a hook. Hooks are minorities, first-generation, athletes, legacies, and development cases. However, I would urge you to look at schools where you can submit a music supplement.
IMO you do not and will not have a “hook” for college. Unless you are a recruited athlete, a child of a huge donor, Malia Obama or something that makes a college want you above others with a similar academic profile then you don’t have a hook. There will be many applicants with strong music backgrounds so that will not do it. Music is a good EC, but not a hook. Very few people have hooks. What you can do is continue to be involved in strong ECs that you enjoy, do well academically. get strong recommendations, write thoughtful essays, and prepare well for standardized tests.
As a bit of unsolicited advice, be sure to apply to a wide range of reach (any very competitive school should be considered a reach regardless of your academic stat), match, and safety schools that are affordable and that you will be happy to attend.
Except for being an athlete good enough to be recruited, “hooks” are generally characteristics that are unearned and which you cannot change or influence (e.g. being related to a large donor or some famous person).
In my observation as a former MoCo resident, the HS guidance counselors there are expert at helping the students get into good places. What has your guidance counselor advised that you do? That person should be able to show you a nice spreadsheet with the results of all of the HS applications in the past few years, and can tell you where your stats and ECs are likely to get you in.
You may be thinking of a “spike,” which is an idea cooked up by some guy who purports to get students into the college of your choice. Google it. Your best bet is to do the things that you enjoy so that you can craft a compelling story about who you are to admissions.
Thank you!!! I did a little bit more research over the past couple of nights on hooks, and I misunderstood what it meant (oops). But I will definitely look at schools that have a music supplement
Thank you!!! I did a little bit more research on hooks, and you are right, I don’t have one (but as you said, most people don’t so I’m not too upset) but I will turn more of my attention towards my academic performance, relationships with teachers for recommendations, and possible essays as you suggested And I do plan on applying to schools with a wide range of acceptance rates to be safe the Malia Obama remark made me laugh XD
