<p>Yea, I meant to say that I don't know how being a URM is considered a hook on it's own. Coupled with something else - yes, but not alone. However, let's not stereotype too much because not all URMs have to overcome adversity. Many (not all) URMs come from educated families with higher incomes. I do believe that someone coming from a lower income family (URM or not) who has had to overcome adversity combined with something else may be a good hook. And I agree with you that someone like that may be more interesting (i.e. hook) than someone from a higher income bracket, attending a private school, being coached on college admissions and of course having all the resources available to do many incredible things - would not be all that interesting, at least to me. But, you DO have to have some of those types within a student body as well. A college campus should be just like the real world and in order for it to function properly; you have to have the right mix. Too much of the "same person" creates too much conflict, not enough diversity and other social problems. It would not prepare people for the real world.</p>
<p>moving from south korea to U.S. at age 11 to live with uncle's family in U.S...
independent guitarist with music album...
spent the summer in a national park doing construction work to preserve nature...</p>
<p>can any of them be hooks? I am not 100% sure on the meaning of the word 'hook' except its something that only you have that no one else will have...</p>
<p>that is, graduating early because you're really eager and motivated to get to college as opposed to "high school is too hard" or something like that....</p>
<p>that is, graduating early because you're really eager and motivated to get to college as opposed to "high school is too hard" or something like that....
<p>To a college, an athlete would be the ones playing Intercollegiate or Division sports. </p>
<p>To a simple high school chica as myself, I think an athlete is at least someone who is committed to a sport, doesn't have to be top notch, and show either natural ability, or leadership skills.</p>
<p>By non-team sports you mean like Knowledge Bowl or Math Counts, I think that could count. <em>grin</em> My school holds the Sports Banquet (to give certs to all participate and all MVP, MIP and Coach's Choice), and that includes the traditional sports like soccer and basketball and also the two examples I gave before.</p>
<p>IzzyJ: Then the athlete would most definitely be a recruit? </p>
<p>By non-team sports, I meant something one does competitively, but individually, not on a team. Perhaps swimming, equestrian. Therfore, you can compete individually AND part of a team. I am a figure skater, I compete individually and am currently on a team (no individual scores given at all on the team). However, my individual competitions have nothing to do with my team competitions (don't even complete on the same level, day, etc.) Unlike something like gymnastics, if you are on a team - you are still given an individual score and that scores gets added to your team mates score. </p>
<p>And what if you are an "athlete" but the school does not compete in that particular sport at least intercollegiately? What if it is only a club sport?</p>
<p>Like surfing....you can be a great surfer, but odd are most colleges are not going to have it as a school sport. So -- are you still considered an athlete or just someone who is applying to the school who is a good surfer?</p>
<p>Well, a high school athlete has the chance to be a recruit. But I would consider those who play intramurals athletes if they play every single day/session and pep it up with their enthusiasm.</p>
<p>oooh, that's what you meant. <em>blush</em> Oh, definitely! I consider non-team sports participants as athletes. Swimming, equestrian, figure skating...yep, they definitely are. </p>
<p>If it's only a club sport...I think the colleges would see surfers as a "surfer" cause they can't recruit them THOUGH they can use them as a "see how much diversity we have! We have surfer here in Michigan!!" or so. :)</p>
<p>Athletes are athletes, but the term "athlete" as it relates to preferential treatment in admissions refers to athletes being specifically recruited to play their sport at that college. Otherwise, dedication and achievement in a sport is an extracurricular, just like any other, and like any other EC, deeper and longer dedication and greater achivement is more impressive than shallow, short-term dabbling with little in the way of achievement to show for it. Athletes who participate in individual sports are recruited like everyone else. They don't care what team you are on, they only care about what you can do for their program. But unless an athlete is nationally ranked or regularly making the news, it is up to them to contact coaches to express an interest and send in recruiting materials (videotape of skills and competition, athletic resume, competition schedule).</p>
<p>Here is my personal belief: You can be be actively involved in say basketball - play varsiety, go to b-b camps, join clubs associated with b-b, etc. Be really, really good at it - but not be ranked in your state or anything - but be a point leader for your school (best player on the team) and of course love the sport. The school where you are applying does indeed have a national ranked b-b team, but you won't play on it because you aren't good enough. And of course the school has a club sport for b-b - great! But they have 5,000 other applicants who would also love to play b-b as a club sport.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, college adcoms will see tens of thousands of people just like you who are actively involved in b-b AND are very good (but perhaps not good enough to recruit). </p>
<p>So, you've shown the adcoms some passion, comittment and that you are an athlete. But compared to the other apps. - you don't stand out (unfortunately). </p>
<p>Then, they have on their table an application from someone that has shown the same level of passion and comittment to another "odd" sport - say snowboarding. Although no state titles, the person competes in local competitions and wins them - but no state or national recognition though. Same hours of training (maybe more) than b-b player. Applicant snowboards because they love it, it is their passion - their sport. College also offers snowboarding as a club sport.</p>
<p>So, you have two applicants but neither are athletes (by the college's definition). Both will probably get involved in the colleges club sports. Which applicant do you think stands out?</p>
<p>My point is .... is that it is better to be a good athlete in an unusual sport than a super (but not good enough to recruit) athlete in a popular sport. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>But good point, worldshopper. I guess being a superb athlete in something unusual is better than something normal.</p>
<p>What would be cool is being a state-ranked ice skater in an area a country like Malaysia with no winters (but one or two ice rinks in the entire country)... <em>sigh</em> Shucks, there goes my chance!</p>