im an international student and theres this national scholarship thats extremely selective (has less than 1% acceptance rate). looking at the website most of the scholars are in ivy league and top universities, the ‘lowest’ universities i could find were still really good like purdue hopkins and georgia tech. so if i got the scholarship would it be a hook? or is it just coincidence since the scholarship is so competitive so only the top, ivy league caliber students get it, combined with the fact that they dont need financial aid.
That is not a hook. A hook is something you are born with or your parent accomplished, like being an alumnus or donating several million dollars to the school.
Getting the scholarship would however be a major academic achievement that improves your application.
I think you hit on it when you asked if it was just a coincidence because the type of student who would win the award, is the same type that would be accepted to top schools. Both the award and the schools are very selective and probably looking for the same qualities.
Hooks are not amazing achievements. Hooks include being a recruited athlete, URM status, being a child of a donor, or legacy status.
If you do end up getting the scholarship, it would definitely be something that would boost your application.
thanks for clarifying what a ‘hook’ meant. im still new to this whole US college admissions thing, and worried since my extracurriculars aren’t outstanding and US colleges seem to really value that!