the mysteries of a hook

Applying to College
1

<p>I have questions about the nature of a "hook."</p>

<p>1.) Does my filmmaking abilities count as a hook? My films have been shown at San Diego Theaters, my documentaries were shown International Baccalaureate Teacher's Conferences worldwide, I won a national history documentary competition (NHD - 1st at California, 3rd at nationals), I have been to festivals, my movies were shown at local tv channels, etc.</p>

<p>2.) If the above is not a hook, What is a hook?</p>

<p>i am talking about hook in context of schools such as stanford and the ivies.</p>

<p>Also I didn't enter many competitions because I MADE FILMS IN ORDER TO SERVE OTHERS NOT SERVE MYSELF!
Sounds like b.s. but I myself know my films/documentaries/advertisements are good enough to be shown at local tv stations, international gathering of teachers, a national contest, etc. etc. So in theory I could have spent all my time doing movies for contests and stuff, and I would have won many awards. (Trying not to be pretentious...) But majority of my movies are for teachers, students, even children in Tanzania (to show them how to string tennis racquets and play tennis as part of a well-renowned tennis project I founded a year ago).</p>

2

<p>Yes, that's definitely a hook.</p>

<p>I think there's a misconception out there that a "hook" is a) ground-breaking research or b) starting a business or c) volunteering in Africa or d) winning national debate competitions.</p>

<p>My hook was being drum major of the high school marching band for 3 years. Exceptional to have done it since sophomore year, but I just excelled in school activities - nothing much outside of school. I didn't do anything really out of the ordinary. I truly enjoyed being a drum major and learned a lot about leadership, priorities, pride, and other good stuff.</p>

<p>It's great that you enjoy making films, have done it for a while, and have done well at it. I think THAT'S what makes a hook. If you're proud of something you did and feel that you're a better person because of it, that's awesome, and write a lovely essay showing that =]</p>