<p>A lot of times on these "chance" threads, I've seen comments such as, "You dont have anything that makes you stand out from the rest". What are these stand-out factors that make you so distinct from others? </p>
<p>For example for myself, I'm a qualified Pilot and I've got my editorials published in local newspapers and in The New Yorker. Are these stand out credentials? </p>
<p>Your opinion...</p>
<p>I would say being qualified as a pilot is impressive. How many high schoolers are qualified pilots?</p>
<p>Anything that will distinguish you from the other applicants and isn't related to your test scores/gpa is a "stand-out factor." So, having a 2400 SAT or a 4.0 GPA will improve your chances of admission but aren't "stand-out factors." A "stand-out factor" will be something that makes you appealing to the demographic pool of the specific university. Thus, being a pilot definitely will stand out.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot! But it's not about me. Generally, what other stand-out factors do high schoolers posses?</p>
<p>Pilot would not stand out.</p>
<p>If your entire application connects together, you stand out. If you're a recruited athlete, you stand out. If you've donated millions of dollars, you stand out. If you're Native American, you stand out.</p>
<p>Or if you take an interest and run with it, you stand out. Basically, how much have you done to contribute to your school or community, or what ability do you possess that would allow you to do so? This isn't basic community service -what could you do for the world that someone else couldn't? What have you done to prove it?</p>
<p>That's all.</p>
<p>If people say that you don't stand out from the rest in chances threads, that's all it means. There's no deeper meaning. You haven't distinguished yourself in any way, your academic ability and whatever you've done with your life does not demonstrate any significant contribution to the world around you. Anyone else could do it, or at least the majority of applicants to the same schools.</p>
<p>does a 3 sport varsity athlete standout (football, basketball, baseball)?</p>
<p>It would certainly demonstrate a time commitment and interest.</p>
<p>So it would definitely help. Honestly though, it wouldn't really be a large factor unless you're recruited.</p>
<p>well I'm being recruited by some DIII programs for baseball but the coaches don't have much input into admissions, or if they do, they need to use them on more "borderline" recruits. I was offered official visits so I'm hoping that helps.</p>
<p>recruited athletes are definitely standouts</p>
<p>Would 1500 hours of community service stand out?</p>
<p>depends i think on what kind of community service?</p>
<p>i worked lots of part time jobs...i was a choreographer and taught a dance group new steps every week in singapore for a year...and i dedicated a lot of time to modeling..while still juggling school work for 4 years....if i put it in that sense...would it stand out?</p>
<p>Usually something that makes you 'stand out' isnt things like being a native american or recruited athlete, because even though u MAY be admitted, adcoms have seen thousands of these sortof applications and dont feel excited or interested at all when they think "oh geez another recruited athlete".</p>
<p>int. model and dance choreographer = def.yes. Rootbeer, u r right. Stand-Outs are self-explanatory. Something that adcoms hardly see = stand out.</p>
<p>I wouldn't see why being a pilot wouldn't stand out. I doubt as many applicants to top schools are pilots than say applicants who are in debate or math teams</p>
<p>If I am employed by a television company to make trailers for foreign television show---is that a hook? They have been sold to many major network companies.</p>
<p>o sorry I mean a "stand out" factor</p>
<p>jb98....</p>
<p>Read post #6. It is correct.</p>
<p>Don't let it discourage you, though. To all of you 17-year-olds who have done fantastic things like learn to fly, teach people to dance, help make television shows, no these are not hooks (unless you can fly under your own power; walking on water also a hook), but they represent who you are, and how you spend your limited free time. </p>
<p>What will you do with those experiences? Write compellingly about them in your essays! I've seen compelling essays about learning to knit. Surely you can do more with your chosen activities. Don't waste time trying to figure out if you have a hook. If you have to look for it, you don't. You do have other personal qualities and passions that can impress. Your challenge is to articulate them well.</p>
<p>Does playing an uncommon instrument make you stand out?</p>
<p>professional pilot is a stand out definitely..but try to focus your essays on that instead of listing it as an EC and writing about sth else. Write about the hardships of being a pilot, how hard the training was etc because colleges want you to tell about what you've accomplished...not really what you are...</p>
<p>E.g...the international modeling thing...i asked a few ppl about it in another thread...and they said that me saying i'm an international model means nothing cos...i just might have the looks and be scouted and thats it...so in my essay i talked about how hard it was to feel confident when majority of auditions reject you cos you compete with thousands of other models everytime a job offer comes up...and how hard modeling was asking of my free time that it was hard to do photoshoots while still going to school everyday....obviously that way sounds a lot better than "hey i'm a model, i'm lucky, that means i stand out" thats more based on luck than accomplishment....</p>
<p>Bring that quality about being a professional pilot in your essay. I'm sure it was pretty hard to train AND study for the exam...while taking APs and SATs and normal classes in school....i mean most ppl can't handle that sort of pressure...and not only can you FLY but you're actually a professional...bring that out in your essay...it's the only way adcoms will feel your passion and remember you from the other 20,000 applicants out there. i think it's a great quality. but it can't be a hook unless you make it look like one.</p>
<p>In the end anything can be a hook. It's all about how well you write it.</p>