When I asked earlier this year if David Hogg’s experience and activism would make him a candidate to elite schools even though he was rejected at many lower ( than HYPS) tier institutions because he now had a big hook, this was the kind of response I got:
“He was accepted to UC Irvine, and will be taking a gap year before enrolling. Not sure what else there is to say. His decision seems to be made.”
Others thought this changed his chances significantly.
Well, he’s going to Harvard next year, so guess that’s the answer. Big Big hook. But how sad that he had to endure what he has.
Yes. I saw that. I know he has to go to college, but it does seem like he and his fellow Parkland students have gotten some traction on the most intractable of issues — I hope he can keep his activism & leadership going.
I’m not sure I’d refer to this tragedy and the subsequent talents, skills and experience Hogg garnered and demonstrated in the aftermath as a “hook”. I’d call it an example of effective and warranted holistic college admissions.
Yesterday someone was arrested and charged after sending death threats to him and his family. It has taken a massive dose of bravery to face this tragedy head on. I continue to hope that these young leaders are getting the emotional support they need.
It’s a ‘hook” in the same sense that many very tragic things help rise a student with mediocre (by HYPS standards) grades ( his weighted 4.2 put him in about the second quartile) and SAT scores ( score in about the top half of his class) according to a private college counselor I know who works with MSD kids. Students who are homeless, have endured disease, or physical disabilities and showed resilience and/or used these experience in finding a mission and advocacy all have gained admission on this basis. Rightly so. It’s what Harvard is looking for. Most hooks other than legacy or famous families involve a students own efforts or involve showing resilience in the face of difficulties.
Not a hook, but an extraordinary achievement, the same way winning the ISEF or the IMO or even the Nobel Prize, were all extraordinary accomplishments worthy of note, and admission. Good for them, proud of those kids.
A hook is often something beyond the kid’s control, such as being from a minority group or being born with an unusual talent, or having a famous person for a parent. This is perseverance through the worst kind of adversity, at the risk of one’s own life, if these death threats are real. I am sure that all of the Parkland survivors would rather not have Harvard or the horror, if it meant they could have their innocence restored and have the hope of leading a normal life.
He’s planning on majoring in Political Science, so Harvard is a perfect place for him. With 4.2 GPA and 1270 score on the SAT, he might struggle academically, but I’m sure he’ll adjust just fine. I’m very happy for him. We certainly need more kids like him in the political leadership of the future.
I rather have a person like him in the Senate or Congress. He stepped up to the uncontrollable tragedy that came to him and met it straight on. He’s going there to develop a weapon and give a good fight.
“He’s planning on majoring in Political Science, so Harvard is a perfect place for him. With 4.2 GPA and 1270 score on the SAT, he might struggle academically…”
Besides, Harvard knows this kid will be out in the media giving more spotlight to their brand name. I have no doubt he will graduate. For him, gpa doesn’t matter. All he needs is C- and a degree. The pressure he will feel at Harvard is nothing compared to what he has been through. I graduated from another Ivy which supposedly grades harder than Harvard with 3.0 gpa by studying very little, so I know he can graduate from Harvard because he seems smarter than I was at his age. Besides, he’s super motivated unlike me.
A lot of people with so so academic records take Harvard classes and do just fine. Not everyone who takes those classes has matriculated after reaching the zenith of their academic potential in high school. Some are employees, general studies people, etc. Back in the day, I took classes for credit and as an auditing student (unofficial before they cracked down) at the local Ivy with a similar SAT score and a much lower HS GPA and I always got As and I was much more prepared for the classes than most of the admitted students. People have funny ideas about Ivies being hard.
It seems like a good match since he’s interested in public policy. They wouldn’t take him if they weren’t prepared to take care of him and shelter him from the pressure. People - even ones who need security details like presidents’ kids and celebrities - hide out at prestigious universities all the time and they know how to handle it.
I stated the way I did based on our close friend’s daughter’s experience at Harvard. She graduated valedictorian from a very competitive high school, had much better GPA and SAT scores than Hogg, yet she struggled in her freshmen year. Lots of top high school kids struggle in their first year of college, so it isn’t anything out of the ordinary.
For his goals, yes, @websensation, GPA doesn’t matter all that much and he’ll graduate just fine.
Note, he took a gap and didn’t sit around. He has vision and activated in the right ways. (Some of them, at least.) That’s what they want. Not the max number of AP or some title in an inconsequential club. Not “just do what interests you.” Not, “My name is on a publication.”
Not a hook. An example of what going beyond means. Having perspective. Guts. Follow through.
Not about the media.
Anyone can learn from this, in this respect: biding your time in your own little realm is no tip.
That weighted gpa is not very high. Retired to FL and see vals/sals listed with a gpa of 5+ to 7+ based on what AP/IB offerings are available at their particular school. But his determination to succeed will be a huge factor.
He will be fine.