<p>I've been translating books for a while at a local publishing company. So far I've translated 2 ancient history books (1 is 85 pages, the other is 60 pages) and a bunch of childrens' books. I also intend to work there until graduation. (I'm a rising junior) If most of the books I get done get published, would this be considereda hook?</p>
<p>I believe that the term "hook" has definitely been overused recently. It was originally used for things such as legacy, race etc. things that one has no choice in. You are born into a race and you didn't decide where your parents went to school before you were born. Things that one accomplishes is just that, an accomplishment. It absolutely helps you in the college application process because you are trying to stand out from the other applicants. You are trying to do things that others may not have done or at least very few have done. Athletes are "recruited" for their sport, but it's not a hook.</p>
<p>The term "hook" needs to be re-evaluated, imo :)</p>
<p>Your translating is wonderful and something that many have not done. Be proud of that accomplishment and I would emphasis it on your application.</p>
<p>I completely disagree with guitars101. The term 'hook' is exactly as it implies. It's a characteristic that makes an admissions committee want you. A characteristic that makes you stand out in the midst of thousands of qualified applicants. A select contingent of individuals translate books as teenagers, let alone for a publishing company. With a solid academic record, you'd have an excellent chance of being admitted to any top school.</p>
<p>^ That doesn't mean it's a hook. A hook is not simply a characteristic that is unusual.</p>
<p>Your talent is unique, and is very impressive. What an interesting extracurricular! But it's not a hook.</p>
<p>A hook is something that the adcoms are looking for very specifically, and presents an advantage just by being there. Yours is simply an EC. It can't really be used to check off a box other than the "great, meaningful EC" box.</p>
<p>A legacy is something that is considered separately, as are development cases, and children of influential persons. These are hooks because they present an advantage regardless of everything else. Yours isn't the same thing: Publishing isn't innately better, than, say running a huge history website or performing on the piano professionally. </p>
<p>I agree mostly with guitars.</p>
<p>Baelor said it very nicely. </p>
<p>thedailypursuit, to simply say that they "have an excellent chance at being accepted to any top school" because they translate book is just not true. You are giving them false hope. We don't even know stats, gpa, all EC's, rigor of classes etc.. Many many factors go into an acceptance to any college. </p>
<p>I do think it's a wonderful EC, but that's all. I would definitely play it up on my essays and any place else that I could.</p>
<p>I think translating is a fantastic hook. Rare and distinctive and scholarly.</p>
<p>I started to wonder about what our family was told at the college informational meeting we attended last year at my son's high school. So, I looked over my notes and there it was. Just as I stated previously, they told us it's something that you don't have control over. Example, race, legacy etc. </p>
<p>BUT, after googling "college hook" I found that it CAN be more, as stated by mammall and Baelor. It just has to be something very rare and unique. </p>
<p>I'm not sure why we were given incorrect info at the college meeting at the high school. Oh well, I guess it wasn't totally incorrect, just more strict on the classification of "hook".</p>
<p>^ I still don't think this is a hook. The book, "The College Hook," is defining a hook as something that just stands out.</p>
<p>But why say "hook" for that when you have another phrase: huge accomplishment? So, to the OP, how are YOU defining hook here? Your EC isn't more impressive than another EC at a somewhat comparable level, although it is certainly unique. Your EC alone will NOT be the reason for your admission, and it may not even be a tip factor, so I personally would hesitate to classify it as a hook.</p>
<p>To add to my previous post... This hook or EC is NOT an absolute guarantee acceptance. There are many things that go into an acceptance like GPA, rigor of course load, SAT's etc. Please keep this in mind.</p>
<p>It sounds like you have lot's going for you so keep up the good work and best of luck.</p>
<p>guitars101, you omitted a significant portion of my post. I said, "With a solid academic record, you'd have an excellent chance of being admitted to any top school." Clearly I'm not suggesting that the OP has an excellent chance solely because of his translations, but rather that if he has a solid academic record AND he's a published translator, he'll have a great shot</p>
<p>Good luck from a fellow persian (i'm assuming you're iranian based on your name), i would consider it somewhat of a hook. At the very least it's a unique experience.
-Darius</p>
<p>^ haha, I actually know several Hispanics with that name. My sister's name is also Pakistani, and we're Dominican =P</p>
<p>Judging from what you guys defined as a hook, would you say having a severe medical problem and being able to overcome that and succeed is a hook? I don't really consider that to be an EC lol.</p>
<p>I wouldn't consider that a hook per se. I have heard it called a "heartstring" case before. I just finished A is for Admission by Michelle Hernandez, who didn't have it listed as a "Flag and Tag." Those were reserved for legacies, minorities, VIP and development cases, and the like. But I've heard it listed as a pseudo-hook elsewhere, especially if you managed to keep up good grades, etc. It's more of a qualifier. As far as I know, the adcoms don't do anything special with the file.</p>
<p>Actually, Darius, I'm Egyptian. But then we're both middleastern tho. :-)</p>
<p>So from all the encouraging comments so far, I've concluded that both ways (weather or not it is considered a hook) it still looks pretty good and unique. Yay!</p>
<p>But will it look bad if it was my only EC, along with the usual volunteer work and stuff?</p>
<p>I just got laid off the school newspaper and so I'm thinking of digging myself into translation outside school since schol activities are pretty cliche anyway. If I just consentrate on the publishing office I'll have alot more time to really succeed there but I dunno....will it look better (for the admissions comitte)if I talked my way into the newsletter or joined other clubs as well?</p>
<p>I don't think joining a lot of clubs as a senior looks good, but branching out into other activities that are related to things you are already doing make sense. You don't have to have lots of EC's - but it is good to look like you have a life out of school that tells a story.</p>
<p>I'm worried that I'm too comitted to my life and ECs outside of school with the publishing company and all when I should be commited to school activities as well.</p>