<p>okay, then we will have some problems</p>
<p>I think they look for both? but well-rounded students probably need to be careful not to forge themselves with the "no hook- just good - nothing stands out" group ;)</p>
<p>Can anyone give me an example of a hook in Music (instead of being a world re-known musician)
What about a hook in science and math?
How can someone express passion for something if he or she has won little awards?</p>
<p>...talk to actual Harvard students and alumni. An awful lot of them are well-rounded but not necessarily world-class in a single area. They're world-class individuals because of their unique combination of skills and passions.</p>
<p>A hook doesn't have to be some clich</p>
<p>Wow, that's a pretty post. It surely gives me renewed hopes, because I'm well-rounded, without any huge competitive hooks.</p>
<p>But then again, that's just another opinion of the admissions process of many I've heard. I bet that Harvard, in trying to create a well-rounded class, is going to try to admit some well-rounded people and some lopsided people. Once again, it's all up to the adcom.</p>
<p>But thanks for the hope. I like the idea of admitting well-rounded people.</p>
<p>Thank you. I'm just going by what they said in their brochure and on-campus, plus the sort of people I've met who attend. Sure Harvard has got some lopsided ones, but a mostly well-rounded population is essential.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it really does appear that there are too many well-rounded and well-lopsided people applying for much of anyone without some special connection to have a guaranteed admission. But we take our chances and that's life!</p>
<p>Statics-Come on, you quoted your answer. I'm not saying that doing research is bad; I'm saying doing research is bad when the motive is parents/a desire to get into a top college.</p>
<p>Beyond the whole desire to actually <em>go</em> to Harvard, this thread has really made me curious to see if I get in based on the whole "well rounded kids don't get in" argument. My Harvard app is (at least in my opinion) hook-free, but I do have a bunch of quality (but local) ECs, and perfect GPA/test scores. I guess being smart and playing football could be a hook, but since I'm not recruited I wouldn't count it as such. That seems to be Uber's definition of well-rounded, so we'll see (of course, one admit/deferral does not prove anything conclusively).</p>
<p>On my RD apps, I think I did a better job of focusing on one of my ECs or accomplishments (ie-for Yale I focused on the school newspaper). If I do get deferred from H, I'll try to send new stuff to focus on one thing in particular.</p>