<p>crazymomster is correct about what constitutes a hook in the current hypercompetitive admissions environment. DrPheno’s advice is excellent w/r/t considering appropriate spin in the context of a college’s culture but, as crazymomster said, that’s something that all applicants need to do just to be a realistic contender at the top schools. Again, it is never my intention to be discouraging to anyone. But this is the current reality, at least at Stanford and peer colleges.</p>