<p>I have recently heard about things called "hooks" and that they are things that help get you into really good Prep schools. </p>
<p>Did you have a certain hook that helped or were your grades very good?</p>
<p>Every applicant needs a hook</p>
<p>Consider two schools, one coed, one all girls. Each school accepts 100 students into its freshman class. For a female applicant, though, the coed school is effectively 50% smaller. Instead of 100 spots, every female applicant is competing for 50 spots. </p>
<p>Also, each school wants to field competitive sports teams, recruit musicians, increase diversity, and appease alumni. It's easier to meet these goals, and be able to accept bright, promising, "unhooked" candidates, with 100 girls than with 50 girls.</p>
<p>The schools you've chosen are very competitive in admissions. I think you and your parents need to discuss which elements of a school are most important for you. Don't forget to consider your extracurricular interests. If you plan to apply to elite colleges, what you do outside the classroom is very important. If you play the violin, for example, you would want to apply to schools which offer opportunities to play your instrument. A school with strong football, but no orchestra, shouldn't be on your list, unless you're willing to say, "I'll drop the violin, and sing in the chorus."</p>
<p>St. Paul's has a superb reputation. It is 100% boarding, however.</p>
<p>I guess you could say that. I have lived in four countries and play hockey. In addition I seemed to do extremely well in the interviewers. Throughout my applications I talked about how I had been to countries of poverty and talked about that, as well as seeing diversity. Wanting to help Asians adjust to this school in this country as they helped my adjust when I was there. All in all I suppose I had a pretty good hook.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Every applicant needs a hook
[/quote]
I have to disagree there. Unless you consider being a good student, and a good kid a "hook."</p>
<p>I do think that being a good student vs an average student is a hook.</p>
<p>Fair enough.</p>
<p>if you go to princeton make sure to join their jsa chapter, it's pretty strong there.</p>
<p>these schools are tough to get into---but i think you've got a good shot. :)</p>
<p>Thank you NellyRae =)</p>
<p>What is Princeton's jsa chapter?</p>
<p>I play the flute</p>
<p>hockeykid, I mentioned that I've been to poverty struck countries and many mission trips but did not elaborate on them. I did not want to come off as "haughty" or self centered so I did not brag about my self much. Should I elaborate on myself more on my future interviews?</p>
<p>I also am doing all honors courses except for history.</p>
<p>I just am amazed on all the help and care you guys give here!! thank you!</p>
<p>wish me luck!</p>
<p>Sorry, one more thing.</p>
<p>I was looking at Westminster.</p>
<p>i know what you mean about the nice/helpful thinh park! the thing i was really scared about applying to these schools was that i was afraid it was going to be full of rich snobs decked out in prada, but everybody here is sooooo nice! if these are the kind of people at these schools then i am no longer worried! :)</p>
<p>Well, you're going to get nice people, but the fact that they're nice to someone who's a guest/visitor to the school isn't really a good sample. They could be not-nice kids at school, to other people in their grade. and you wouldn't know.</p>
<p>There are some really great kids here, but then obviously there are the rich snobs.</p>
<p>But, yes, you're right, schools are very generous/kind when you're applying to them! (not saying they aren't otherwise, but especially so in this situation)</p>
<p>park8, jsa is the biggest student run organization in the country. it's an informal debate organization that is pretty amazing. princeton has some really phenomonal debaters. if you're interested here's the site</p>
<p>[url=<a href="http://www.jsa.org/%5DHome%C2%A0-%C2%A0JSA%5B/url">http://www.jsa.org/]Home - JSA[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Thank you so much!</p>
<p>and Nellyrae i felt the exact same way!</p>
<p>park8, what is your GPA, and have you gotten your scores back?</p>