swang

SO I would've done a change me thread but I figured I'd get many replies of "Wow you'd never get in, not with those grades and EC.." etc etc so I'm asking a simple comparison question.

Which is a better hook for Brown University?

1. Being tri-ligual [[Ahem, I speak Eeeeenglish, Mandarin and French. Fairly fluently]]

2. Going to France for 7 weeks during the summer, basically a study abroad and having the willpower to never speak english. Which was one of the rules of the program?


Also...I'm going to write about my summer abroad thing for the Common App long essay....is that too trite because EVERYONE writes about their summer abroad and how it totally and like utterly and like ______[[insert appropriate exclamatory word here]] chnaged their lives?

BrownParent

I think #1 is the stronger skill set and a very nice one. I wouldn't call either hooks, but #1comes closest, well maybe it is, you are fluent in all? The essay on study abroad would be great if you write a great essay and try not to incorporate trite cliche's. I'd do some freeform writing first, then edit, edit, let it sit and rewrite, rewrite. Develop some themes. Have some insights.

pineapplelollie

I wouldn't really say they are hooks, but nonetheless, some talent.

I speak English, Cantonese, and Mandarin fluently and I understand some Vietnamese and French. (I was born here too, if that makes any difference)

I am pretty sure there are many people who are very talented in their languages applying to Brown.

I have never done any summer abroad stuff, so at least now you'll know one person who isn't writing about that.

Would anyone know what is the exact definition of a first gen college student? Do you fit in that category as long as you are still a part of first generation or do you need to be the first one in your family?

It seems to me that different schools see it differently, but I am not sure about Brown.

fireandrain

Neither of those is a hook. In fact, both are fairly common for Brown applicants. And yes, many students write their common ap about their summer abroad experiences. That shouldn't stop you -- just realize it is not unique, or even rare.

As for the first gen question: I've never quizzed admissions about its definition. But if neither of your parents have postsecondary degrees (beyond HS), then you are first-gen. And first-gen, BTW, IS a hook.

schrizto

Being trilingual isn't uncommon. A lot of people speak English and two other languages, one taught in school and another at home (esp if people in their family are immigrants).

ColdWind

Each school determines what attributes constitute a hook for that institution. Three languages spoken fluently is impressive.

swang

The thing is then, I can't really think of a good hook which is why I think those 2 are the closest that I come to a hook....>_< Does this mean I wont get into college?

fireandrain

swang, you don't need a hook to get into college. Relax -- the vast majority of students don't have so-called "hooks."

A "hook" is something colleges define to meet its institutional goals. At Brown, Pres. Ruth Simmons has stated she wants more first-gen students on campus. That makes it an institutional goal, and so a higher percentage of first-gen applicants may be accepted. They won't all be accepted. It's just that the admissions office is on the lookout for them, and makes admissions decisions with that goal in mind.

Other "hooks" can include things like underrepresented minorities, geographic locations, female engineers, legacies, development (people who are ultra wealthy). Most "hooks" aren't something you can make up overnight.

What you can do, swang, is find colleges who need what you offer. If you live in New Jersey, apply to a school in Oregon. If you want to major in the sciences, find a school that is expanding its science departments. If you are male, apply to the liberal arts colleges which have a higher percentage of female students.

Most important, though, is just do whatever it is you like doing, and make sure you market yourself as convincingly as possible in your application.

bicyclekick

how about being an arab-american immigrant who could barely speak english when he first came here....i wrote my common app essay on my immigration experience, etc. i thought that would be somewhat of a hook lol

ClaySoul

both are stupid. the idea of a hook is stupid. just sayin.