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Uh, don't you mean the exact opposite - that grad admissions are far LESS 'hook-dependent'?
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<p>No, I mean what I said...but I suppose I'm looking at "hooks" as a different beast for grad admissions. Let's look at it this way: pretty much everyone applying to top 10 PhD programs in poli sci will be guaranteed to have a good GPA, strong GRE, and at least adequate LoRs. However, numbers alone do not get someone into PhD programs-- this becomes especially apparent when everyone is pretty much at the same level.</p>
<p>However, a demonstrated interest in something a professor in that department is doing is a good "plus." Exciting and original research in the past will also differentiate you from the crowd.</p>
<p>Tons of people get into undergrad based on numbers alone. Very few get into PhD programs based on numbers alone. It's the little subjective qualities that really give someone the edge.</p>
<p>That's what I mean by "hook" in this context. Now feel free to disagree, as I'm sure you'll find reason to. :p</p>