<p>We all know that a 4.0 UW GPA and a 2400 SAT isn’t going to cut it for Harvard; you have to bring something interesting to the table. What are your hooks? What are some interesting hooks?</p>
<p>The standard hooks are: under-represented minority (URM); legacy; development case (your parent can and will write a 7 digit donation check); athletic recruit.</p>
<p>for development case your parents only need to be giving like 20-40k per year (consistently though). I would know…</p>
<p>Is being white a hook, if you are an Asian?</p>
<p>^being Asian is a negative these days.</p>
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<p>“Hook” means the things you can’t really do anything about (except sports, which you can’t really do anything about after sophomore year of high school, usually), so the list is finite:
-URM (most non-white races except most kinds of Asian; I think Tibetan/Mongolian/Ainu/etc. might give you a boost)
-Legacy
-Sports recruit</p>
<p>Sort of:
-Rare geographical locations (Nebraska)</p>
<p>If you mean what are possible things that could differentiate applicants and get them into Harvard, that’s a different question. We really need a term for that, since “hook” can sometimes be confusing.</p>
<p>How about a special category for students who had no tutoring for the SATS, did not take them more than once, got no help with their essays and supplements, despite being white and relatively affluent? Also, really relaxed.</p>
<p>If you are white, affluent and do well on SAT, you fit the norm. You are expected TO DO WELL on SATs.</p>
<p>^doesn’t count. There quite a few non-affluent people who do the same.</p>
<p>Does Harvard look at the region you were born? Because does making me an Argentinian give me a hook?</p>
<p>Not where you were born, per se. An American whose mother was worked for our embassy in Argentina and then moved back to the U.S. within three months of the birth and raised the kid there for 18 years would get no benefit. If you’re Argentinian, that goes in the “race,” hook; if you’re not Argentinian but grew up there, that might count for the “location” hook.</p>
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<p>There is a term for that. They are called ECs.</p>
<p>How about being a first generation college student? Doesn’t that count?</p>
<p>Yes, 1st gen is a hook.</p>
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<p>From what I understand, if you are relaxed, white, relatively affluent, attend affluent schools, but have low scores, you may be seen as someone who does not utilize resources available to you. The category, I think is slacker/ lazy. (Just joking)</p>
<p>POSTED BY PERAZZIMAN: From what I understand, if you are relaxed, white, relatively affluent, attend affluent schools, but have low scores, you may be seen as someone who does not utilize resources available to you. The category, I think is slacker/ lazy. (Just joking)</p>
<p>finally! Someone with a sense of humor. But how about if that slacker white guy actually GOT really high scores and was ACTUALLY relaxed…into learning and exploring…what a find.</p>
<p>I meant broader than ECs. Things like overcoming health problems or interesting life storyorwhatever, that would definitely help differentiate an applicant from other candidates, but couldn’t go on a resume.</p>
<p>what about someone who has overcome aspergers syndrome (i.e. if someone used to have poor social skills who found an activity/interest that he/she pursued with dedication).</p>
<p>What about coming from a low income family, and having personal hardships?</p>
<p>Life stories are for essays, people. There’s no formula. Just try what you can and see if you can get in.</p>