<p>@ Phantasmagoric</p>
<p>Hooks do matter, quite a lot actually. Why? Universities wants to know that an applicant made best of the opportunities they had.</p>
<p>ei. an applicant from a high income background with 2300+ and excellent extracurriculars (who probably took expensive test prep courses and got well connected internships)isn’t as impressive as an applicant from a low income background with 2100+ and very good extracurriculars. </p>
<p>Hooks aren’t bonuses, especially things like first generation college student and low income status. They provide the college with a fundamental framework of judging how hard the applicant worked and how the applicant succeeded on his or her own abilities despite their disadvantaged background. </p>
<p>Stats are only meaningful if they are put into context. (hence my post only refereed to his background)
Phantasmagoric, do you really think I would be putting down someone for being low-income, first generation? I grew up in a low-income immigrant house hold with a single mom, I think i would more likely sympathize with those who have come so far entirely by pulling themselves up.</p>