<p>Hello,</p>
<p>i am trying to gather a list of the major "hooks" that everyone seem to fret about.</p>
<p>So far i have the following:
1. URM
2. First generation
3. Legacy
4. Recruited Athelete
5. VIP (Celebrities, Aristocrats-Roosevelts, Rockefellers, McCains for instance, etc..)</p>
<p>What are some other hooks, especially of academic nature, that captivate application readers?</p>
<p>1st Gen nor Legacy aren’t hooks. They may be “tip” factors, all other things being equal.</p>
<p>While not a hook, “development admits” who are relations to multimillion dollar donors get in as well.</p>
<p>As far as academics, the truly national level competition winners will gain serious attention but again, these aren’t HOOKS as in every time one crosses the table, they will get serious WOW appeal.</p>
<p>Basically, it’s of no use to muse about “hooks” as they are primarily out of the student’s ability to alter (besides athletic prowess). You’ll drive yourself crazy looking for them. Just relax.</p>
<p>Olympic athletes maybe? I’m not sure about that though.</p>
<p>OP your 1 2 & 4 aren’t hooks. You can’t possibly list every possible hook because the reason they are “hooks” is because they are unique.</p>
<p>Ok lets change the nature of this beast. What are certain things that will gain major attention in adcoms?</p>
<p>Like USAMO?</p>
<p>Jersey13, I don’t think you understand that hooks don’t have to be absolutely one-of-a-kind.</p>
<p>The traditional hooks are URM, legacy, recruited athlete, and developmental candidate (someone who donates huge $$$ to the school). You might add celebrities in there, or being the child of (important) faculty.</p>
<p>First-gen, having siblings at the school, and low-income are tip factors.</p>
<p>Some people expand the definition of “hook” to include anything on your application which will make the adcom sit up and take notice. This could be an unusual EC, extreme talent or proficiency in one area (fluent in obscure languages, extreme musical talent, etc.), or major and extremely prestigious awards/programs such as RSI, TASP, and the olympiads (USAMO, USAPhO, etc.) There are an infinite number of these and it would be impossible to list them all.</p>
<p>Bump 10 char</p>