<p>Hello all,
I was recently browsing some threads here at CC and have noticed that most top schools are considered reaches for even the most qualified students--if those students are not URM's or athletes. While I'm only a freshman, I've established a pattern of grades, tests, and EC's (I'm really passionate and already have a couple leadership positions). That said, I worry about being an "unhooked" applicant.</p>
<p>So, can factors like religion be considered hooks? My situation is fairly unique in the fact that my parents are both devout, but from different faiths (and by that, I'm not saying one's Presbyterian and the other's Episcopalian). I was raised as a member of both, and exposed to a group of people who were also raising interfaith children. I've now had the ability to choose one, both or neither religion to make my own. I know I could turn some of these experiences into a great essay and/or even start a dialogue group for interfaith H.S. students, but is this really a hook at all or just another potential essay topic?</p>
<p>Just another essay idea. From my understanding, a hook is some desirable trait in a student that a college is in need of. Colleges need athletes for their sports programs, they need minority students because it makes them look better when they report the numbers. Colleges don't care about the student's religion; its not like the college has to report that 70 percent of its student body is Christian to the US news report.</p>
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<li><p>These days being a boy is a hook at some schs.</p>
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<li>Colleges aren't interested in racial and other diversity just b/c "it makes the look better when they report the numbers." (And report to whom?) Colleges are looking to build a commuinty and for some school racial (and other) diversity is important. Schs that want to move beyond regional recognition to national recognition may recruit geographically. And, for some students, diversity is important (not uncommon for affluent White NYC student to transferr from shcs they label as "too White bread).</li>
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<p>-Although they are interested in diversity, nyc, they do report to the government. AA and all that jazz. But even a URM can be rejected from top schools- I think the influence of AA is exaggerated at CC.</p>
<p>OP: I don't think that religion would be considered a hook- it might make for an interesting essay, but a lot of schools don't consider relgious committment as an admissions factor (to check this, look at College Board or the school's website). For schools that do consider religious committment, it might be a 'tip' to your application.</p>
<p>I don't think you have to worry about being 'hookless.' It's hard to believe when you're looking at CC, but TONS of people get in top schools (Ivies, even) without hooks. As long as you show what you're passionate about and have good grades and scores, you have a chance. You don't necessarily need a selling point like race or a sport.</p>
<p>I think most schools that consider religion are religious schools that want more kids who practice the religion they're affiliated with to study there.<br>
I don't know if that's correct, but that was my assumption.<br>
Kind of like how some catholic high schools cost less for catholic students then for students who practice other religions.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! I'm actually on the fence between agnosticism and existentialism (which is actually really a philosophy, and not a religion). I also play double bass rather well (I'm the principal in my school orchestra, which is nationally well regarded). Is the fact that my instrument is a fairly uncommon one something of a hook?</p>