What IS a "hook"?

Applying to College
1

<p>Often on chance threads, I see people say that the lack of a hook makes top-tier schools high-reaches. But what exactly is a hook?</p>

<p>I find it hard to believe that hooks only come in the form of material accomplishment - and by this I mean winning nationally/internationally recognized competitions. Granted, these are strong and obvious hooks, but what else would one include in this category of "hooks"?</p>

2

<p>This question was recently addressed in this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1294638-general-hook-questions.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1294638-general-hook-questions.html&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Take a look.</p>