<p>Is it a hook, or at least a plus on an application to have virtually all of your ECs centered around one subject. For example, almost all of my ECs are focused on education and educational policy. So far I have:
-Editor of non-profit political journal called the Young Idealist where I published an article on education reform
-Internship at the Lieutenant Governor's where I served on the panel of selection for the Model's of Excellence in Education Program
-I am a member of the student advisory board for a school for underpriviliged girls
-I tutor at that school as well
-I am a science olympiad coach for an elementary school</p>
<p>An EC is not a hook.</p>
<p>“-Editor of non-profit political journal called the Young Idealist where I published an article on education reform”</p>
<p>publications are hooks because so few younger people publish.</p>
<p>I understand a hook to be a personal factor that, when it comes down to you and an otherwise equally appealing candidate, “tips” you in to the acceptance pile.</p>
<p>The four hooks of which I know are being an URM, a legacy, an athletic recruit, or a development case (family has given or will give lots of money). Other factors, like one’s ECs, can be pluses or minuses but are not hooks.</p>
<p>I disagree Jason: You’re correct that few young people publish. However writers, editors and even authors of published articles only make the applicant a tad more interesting. None of this rises to the level of, in the colleges’ mind, of “we must have that student” – the definition of a “hook”.</p>
<p>^There are no “must have that student” in top level college admissions. Even a bunch of people with hooks are still rejected.</p>
<p>But “really want to have that student” would be a Yes.</p>
<p>No its not a hook, but it looks great on your application! Too many kids do every activity possible (and they’re all totally unrelated…) just to impress admissions. This shows the adcom you obviously are really passionate about a very select topic! Good luck!!</p>