A “hook” is something the college wants that you have. Sadly, there is no shortage of kids with divorced parents.
Pretty much the first question on CC is always: what’s the budget? Can you afford these schools, with no/minimal loans? Looking at your ECs, if you go the PoliSci route you want 0 debt- I can give you chapter & verse on way, but will spare you the soap box for now.
Second question: why these schools? Urban seems to be the only unifying theme (U of SC = SoCal or S Carolina?)
snap! @aquapt got in there on the $$ question