<p>What is considered a hook? Is it something that an applicant is good in, like sports or music,and does it raise your chances of being accepted?</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-chances/609568-what-hook.html?highlight=hook[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/prep-school-chances/609568-what-hook.html?highlight=hook</a></p>
<p>Thread from last year.</p>
<p>A hook is a trait which will take your application out of the large general applicant pile and place it into the smaller pile of applications that will be given special consideration. Sometimes it’s a special talent, such as demonstrated achievement in athletics, the arts, or a particular academic discipline. Often it’s legacy, minority or potential donor status.</p>
<p>A hook is not a trait that makes your application simply noticeable, such as the fact that you have pink hair or have traveled abroad. A true hook is a trait which will make the school want to overlook weaknesses in the application for the sake of something else you can offer it, such as the potential for a winning football season or a more racially diverse student body.</p>
<p>What counts as a hook at one school may not function as one at another school. For instance, the fact that an applicant was part of a state championship swimming team will probably help that applicant’s chances at any school because it demonstrates drive and athleticism. It will not, however, be a hook at a school with no pool. </p>
<p>Some common hooks:</p>
<p>URM (Note that this stands for UNDERREPRESENTED minority)
Athletic prowess
Special, demonstrated talent in the arts or academics
Ability (and willingness) to make a significant donation to the school
-We’re talking “new science wing”, not simply a grand in the annual fund
Legacy status, particularly if the alum. has been involved in the school.
Overcoming a VERY significant challenge</p>
<p>Note that not all hooks are equal. The nephew of an uninvolved alum will not realize anywhere near the bump that the grandchild of a major donor will enjoy.</p>
<p>So if I send in a CD of my piano playing, would that be a hook?</p>
<p>yum, hooks!</p>
<p>Are these good hooks?
-nationally ranked (top ten) in French twice, county top 3 for 3 years running, being the first in my school to receive a 5 on the French AP (a year early, i might add). p.s. I have no french-speakers in my family - no special advantage.
-receiving a full state dept. scholarship to study in russia (i know study abroad isn’t huge, but is being one of 600 kids to have the gov’t pay for it in full?)
-Grandfather graduated from yale, his cousins did, too, and his uncle was athletic director in the 20’s
-coca cola scholar semifinalist (so far) - one of 2,250 chosen from 71,000 applicants
-saved a newborn alpaca from death due to rejection and subsequent starvation with no previous alpaca-related experience. long story.</p>
<p>Would living in Japan, going to an international school, and a public Japanese school be a hook?</p>
<p>@Sundlun,
Being an international applicant actually hurts your chances of getting in. I think Deerfield’s international acceptance rate was 8% last year. Also, I assume a good number of international applicants go to international schools. However I am just ASSUMING this.</p>
<p>are you actually serious?</p>
<p>@sundlun,
Yes my whole post was serious.</p>
<p>^^It depends where you are from. If you are Asian, then yes, it is more competitive. If you are from Ghana, then it is a hook.</p>
<p>Better yet, if you are a top soccer player and you are from Ghana, you have two big fat hooks. This combo has been a winner recently. Look at the powerful boy soccer teams at Hotchkiss (2009 NEPSAC Class A Champs) and at Kent (2010 NEPSAC Class A Runners-Up).</p>
<p>I really love the rescued a newborn alpaca as hook… :D</p>
<p>Seriously though, while I honestly have no clue what is or isn’t a hook…baby alpaca would make a great essay topic.</p>
<p>Ahh, yes, but NMH beat the Ghanians this year! Sweet!!</p>
<p>A hook is something I need to get accepted D: Good thing I have two :D</p>
<p>hello,Im from Georgia which is OCCUPATED by Russia.Is it a good hook?</p>
<p>Goodness, here we go again. I thought we’d all realize by now that hooks are for fishing! Okay then, I’ll get back to topic. Truth be told, given that there are so many applicants nowadays, just because you have a so-called “hook”, doesn’t mean it’s a sure way of getting in. For example, if you’re from Oklahoma, and no one in X school, which you’re applying to, is from Oklahoma doesn’t mean you’ll get in. Has no one realized that there may be other applicants to X school that are from Oklahoma? Additionally, just because Y school has a dearth of trombone players, doesn’t mean the first trombone from A state band will get in-it could be likely that the first trombone from B state band is also applying too. So you know what? That “hook” is NOT the only thing that will get you in. Be the best student you can be, overall, and cross your fingers and hope to get in.</p>
<p>Would be from the UK be a hook?
Or playing the French Horn?
Or being a top cyclist?
Just wondering what kind of things the schools are looking for</p>
<p>-saved a newborn alpaca from death due to rejection and subsequent starvation with no previous alpaca-related experience. long story. Are you kidding ? That seems a stretch for a hook . Maybe you were JUST a good person !</p>
<p>is captain of the JV soccer team a hook, although now I’m playing for the varsity team?</p>