<p>I have written and composed around 80 songs for 6 instruments (including vocals). A lot of these songs have been performed by my churches choir and orchestra. Is this a good thing to put in my application??? Is this considered a 'hook'? Thanks! :)</p>
<p>Good thing, yes. Hook, no.</p>
<p>Oops!! I didn’t literally mean ‘hook’, I was just wonderinng if you think it would increase my chance of admissions. And thanks!</p>
<p>OREngineering is right. This is definitely not a hook. It will probably only slightly increase your chances. Bear in mind that some applicants will have performed before thousands of people…</p>
<p>Look into competitions through your Music Teachers Association and enter some of your pieces. Awards are always a nice addition to your application. Ask your guidance counselor about preparing an arts supplement. Talk to your music teacher/choir director or counselor about how to use these talents to your best advantage. Great work!</p>
<p>I wrote 3 unpublished novels, 23 musical compositions, a letter from my musical composition teacher saying I was the most prolific composer he’d ever had, 1 essay on a new easier method to solve a problem in mathematics that I plan on publishing soon, and arranged 10 different pieces for marching band. I also have 20 Powerpoint Presentations on my computer detailing designs for various video games…
I was rejected at Princeton by the way. :D.
Long story short, a quantity of things is not really a hook. Awards are a nice addition, but those only get your foot in the maybe pile (unless it’s IMO or Siemann’s or Intel). What gets you in is who you are as a person, and if you’re the Princeton Type. Now, that said, if you want to go for music, it’s possibly a hook. Put it in your application though, it can’t hurt you… but it’s not a hook. That said though, I know 3 people from my high school who got into Princeton without hooks, so you don’t need them. :)</p>
<p>@catalyxmaster: wow, those are some AWESOME achievements. I am also impressed by your spirit and how the rejection didn’t change your opinion abt Princeton.
As for OP, so many people have had similar achievement to yours. I am not sure about “hook” but what really matters is your “story” and “you” as a well-rounded person.</p>