<p>Hi, I’m Esther and I’m new here. I have been taking some local classes, and next year I am going to be applying to universities. I know that “hooks” can help me look unique to the admission committees, but I kind of have an unusual situation…I’m 40. Does being adopted from another country help my chances if I am not of traditional applicant age? Thanks.</p>
<p>No, I don’t think being adopted counts as a “hook,” especially given your age considerations.</p>
<p>However, your (non-traditional) age itself could be an (“unhooked”) selling point.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>A hook isn’t being unusual - it’s having an unusual asset that could help enrich the quality of campus life.</p>
<p>what universities are you applying to? Overall, however, being 40 kind of equals a negative hook. It is more like a hole. Good luck though.</p>
<p>I disagree with the post above about being non traditional making admissions more challenging. I would expect that admissions departments would see somebody with more life experience as a positive contributor to the diversity of student body. I think that your being adopted is irrelevant to admissions but your being different than their typical applicant is relevant and positive.</p>