<p>I received first place in the martial arts open, an international competition.
Is that a hook? What would be some other examples?</p>
<p>That is a great accomplishment, but it is not a hook. A hook is a status that gives you a bit of an edge over other applicants. The main hooks are URM (under-represented minority), legacy, and first generation college student. Basically, they’re special circumstances. However, winning first place in an international competition is superb, so make you stress that in your application.</p>
<p>It might pass as a great EC, but that all depends on which division you performed in. I’m pretty sure there are divisions for each belt color, and if you were a red belt or something, it would be fairly impressive. However, if you were to be the international winner for the Dan 3 Black Belt division, that’s something that’s going to awe colleges.</p>
<p>I competed in the black belt division. On my common app I have in my awards that I internationally received first place, and then on my ECs I have that I’m an “internationally recognized martial artist” and as for the more info, I have that I’m a black belt. Is that enough emphasis on it? =/</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses guys :)</p>
<p>Place martial arts as the first item in your extracurricular list, and make sure to write about it in your essay. National and international awards look very impressive on your application.</p>
<p>Examples of “Hook”:</p>
<p>Winning a medal(any kind) in Olympics
Winning an international science award
Coming from a family which has a history of winning Nobel Prize</p>
<p>The way I learned of a hook is something totally outrageous or out of the ordinary that makes you want to read on.</p>
<p>Here’s one:</p>
<p>“I could knock you out in a second if you tempted me.”</p>
<p>Depending on how prestigious this particular martial arts competition is, it could very be the Olympics of the karate world.</p>
<p>Congrats btw. I never made black belt-- failed my exam, and then Katrina hit.</p>