Is it possible to get in without a hook?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

<p>I’ll admit it: I don’t have a hook. I’m in the top of my class, president of NHS, have been working towards my Gold Award, etc., etc. But I have no hook. I am a Caucasian agnostic from New Hampshire; I like writing but I haven’t published a novel or anything, really, and while I love academia and intellectual exploration I haven’t done anything incredible or cured cancer or fed starving children in Africa. </p>

<p>Am I doomed? I lovelovelove Brown, and I stressed the whole intellectual curiosity and my other ECs, etc.–especially the fact that I practically grew up at my grandmother’s farm, where we grow and can enough vegetables to get us through the winter. (And make our own maple syrup, but that’s a bit random.) Assuming I’m average in terms of other applicants when it comes to grades and ECs, d’you think I have a chance, what with no super amazing hook?</p>

2

<p>Many students accepted to Brown have no so-called "hook." I've seen many of these students accepted over the years. But the acceptance rate is very low. Of course, the acceptance rate is low for everyone, even students with these "hooks."</p>

3

<p>See, I'm the complete opposite of you (lol). I'm a haitian born (us citizen now soo happy!), and I love wolunteering, I've written a business plan for a national competitions I won that I sen tto brown, and I received a National Youth Advocacy award from my governor, I have amazing ec's and volunteer work but my standardized tests aren't up to par, like waay below the 25 percentile but my grades are up there. I think you still have a chance. I mean not too many people ever even seen a farm other then TV (lol) . I personally never been on one. So I think you do, if you love Brown and it jumps off your application there can be some hope. I hope that Brown can look past my test scores, but who knows! I'm not an adcom (lol). Just relax, you applied, that's the only chance you have of getting in is by applying. Congrats to you! (Lol) Good Luck!</p>

4

<p>Yes, it's possible. My D, a current soph from New York City, was accepted without a "hook," other than her brilliance :)!</p>

5

<p>White, male, bio major from NH. Yes, it does happen :)</p>

6

<p>hey ajlangs: are you applying for '13 and wondering if you'll get in, or are you applying next year?</p>

7

<p>I'm applying for '13. I don't really expect to get in, just because the chances are so small, but I'd be thrilled if I did. Anyways, thanks for the reassurances, guys! At least when I get rejected I'll know it's not because I lack a hook. :]</p>

8

<p>hooks are highly overrated.
you'd be surprised how many kids here are "normal"</p>

9

<p>Of course kids get in without hooks.</p>

<p>I'm a white/Jewish female from suburban northern California with college-educated parents. Bio major/premed. No atypical ECs or anything.</p>

10

<p>thanks, thecomisar. it just gets tiring watching all these stats broken down into a fine powder. at some point i am hoping that my education at brown will also be about becoming a normally functioning human being and not the next generation of X-men!</p>