<p>If you're like AMAZING at something - for instance, you are an AMAZING artist and you can sell 1000$ paintings at the age of 16, or you've been concertmaster for 29392389 years and can play violin at a professional level - does this really make you STAND out? Or do places like HYPMS get thousands of these students each year? Is this considered a "hook"? Will it somewhat (not override, but outbalance I guess) lower GPA + standardized test grades? If you have a average (not by any means HYPMS level) credentials but you're super supeeer passionate about something... should you go for it and apply there anyways and hope for the best? Rare acceptance at best? Waste of the application fee?</p>
<p>believe it or not, a lot of boring people get into HYPSM too. you don't need to be "OMG AWESOME," just really really really good. HYPSM probably reject a some people who are even more intelligent/interesting than many they actually take.</p>
<p>If you're truly a prodigy, yes, it could be a hook. However they get tons of talented artists so making it a hook would mean some national recognition and I shudder to think of the number of musicians who apply believing they're special.</p>
<p>That said, applying doesn't cost much so anyone who thinks they have a shot should try. How else would HYP get to reject 10 of every 11 applicants?</p>
<p>i believe my interests and activism in architecture-related fields got me into Princeton. i also sent them a portfolio of my work. It goes way beyond just having a hook that looks good to admissions committees. Using your hook, your talent and skill is the mark of intelligence and wisdom. - that's what they like to see, passionate initative.</p>