I really want to go into corporate finance/ business administration and UPenn Wharton is my DREAM school(I plan on applying ED of course)! For the most part my stats aren’t too far apart from what I’ve seen on the acceptance threads here, but I feel like I might be missing that “special something”. My dad’s cousin is a fairly well-known movie producer who has two BA’s from Penn and an MBA from Wharton. Would this relationship help me in the admissions process at all? All feedback is appreciated, thanks! :">
Not unless your dad’s cousin adopts u
A hook is usually something you did or some quality you have, not something about someone you know.
Nope, definitely not a hook.
Hooks are generally:
Legacy (Your parents went to Penn)
Recruited Athlete
URM (Under represented minority): Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Native American…
First Generation: Your parents didn’t go to college.
Your last name is Obama, Gates, Kennedy, etc.
Your relationship could help you if he has enough influence at Penn and you could get him to make some phone calls to the admissions department, but otherwise he is a great option if you have any questions about Penn.
In short, hooks help the school, by raising money or prestige. Will your cousin commit to donating $10M+? Maybe that’s a hook.
It’s not even the OP’s cousin, but the OP’s father’s cousin.
Using famous contacts / relations pops up from time to time. Good responses to the question are[here](http://www.getyourselfintocollege.com/2015/07/letters-of-recommendation-famous-people/) and [here[/url] and [url=<a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/7-college-admissions-myths/2011/10/20/gIQAmk4GAM_story.html”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/7-college-admissions-myths/2011/10/20/gIQAmk4GAM_story.html</a>] here(#7)](Asking for Letters of Recommendation | Academic Advising).
The short answer is: it is helpful only if they know you in a meaningful way, and it can backfire if it is clear that they don’t and you are just trying to get an advantage on the back of their name.
Why would your dad’s cousin’s accomplishments be a hook for YOU?
I don’t think so.