What are good hooks?

Applying to College
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<p>I've seen people point out the obvious URM and 1st to attend college status, but are there other good hooks? In today's economy, is it still beneficial to come in under the $60,000/yr income bracket?</p>

<p>Are there other really good 'hooks' for colleges?</p>

<p>I'm just curious to find out.</p>

2

<p>it depends on the school. if they are need blind then your financial status plays no role in admissions but in some cases it can help. To be honest the best “hooks” are race, scion (legacy) status, and applying as a first generation college student. Coming from a low income bracket is more like a “barb”.</p>

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<p>These are hooks:</p>

<p>-Athletic status.
-URM status (mainstream).
-1st generation.
-Letter from a Senator/CIA director or something.</p>

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<p>
[QUOTE=Lobzz]

-Letter from a Senator/CIA director or something.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>ABSOLUTELY not a hook. If anything, this will hurt your application. So many schools say that letters from famous people who don’t really know an applicant are only turn-offs.</p>

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<p>-athletic recruit
-URM
-legacy
-first generation (1/2 a hook)</p>

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<p>URM - 1 hook
* if you’re native american that counts as 3 hooks.
* if you’re first generation native american, HYPS will admit you twice and let you bring a friend along with you.</p>

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<p>My stunning looks coupled with a female interviewer have been considered a hook.</p>

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<p>being famous</p>

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<p>being published or exposure in the newspaper or NPR or something</p>

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<p>Being Emma Watson</p>

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<p>"URM - 1 hook

  • if you’re native american that counts as 3 hooks.
  • if you’re first generation native american, HYPS will admit you twice and let you bring a friend along with you. "</p>

<p>Hahhahahahhahaha. True.</p>

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<p>being native american is an anchor</p>

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<p>LMAO at stephennn.</p>

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<p>What about merit-based hooks? Not hooks that you’re born with like URM, legacy, first generation. Would a good merit-based hook be starting a business or something of that sort?</p>

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<p>Absolutely!</p>

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<p>Haha I actually disagree with the native thing! One of my friends, who is a first gen native applied to HYP/Dartmouth/Cornell. And was rejected at HYP, and waitlisted, but did get into cornell… So it helps, but wouldn’t say it’s a for sure bet.</p>

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<p>So being an URM (especially native american) or a 1st gen is a hook, but being lower class is not? Forgive me for the generalization, but aren’t URMs or 1st gens more likely to come in the low income brackets? </p>

<p>I only say this because I myself am an URM(?) (or at least, I’m not registered white.) and the contradiction seems silly. </p>

<p>Are you not a 1st gen if the parent you don’t live with has a degree? My dad has a degree, but I don’t live with him, as my parents are divorced. If I don’t have to report him on the FAFSA why must I report him elsewhere?</p>

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<p>Both parents have to not have attended college. If one has, you aren’t 1st generation. And these aren’t blanket hooks. You have to fit the schools profile (OK on the lower end of the profile is fine). If the adcoms don’t think that you’ll thrive academically at their school, no hook will get you in.</p>

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<p>It’s kind of silly to have this discussion because what is a “hook” for some schools, or even some admissions officers, may not be a hook for others.</p>

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<p>Ike- I was just sort of curious about the more general ones. </p>

<p>People often say hooks: and then list them, so I wanted to know which were most common.</p>