I’m in the process of completing my application (only have written and recs left now), and I just wanted to know what is considered a hook or a standout feature for most. I have solid academics (35 ACT) and solid ECs, but nothing to my knowledge that would make me standout in a pool of equally (or more) qualified students. I know for top tier schools, almost everyone will be a high caliber student and that the deciding factors will mainly be the essay, along with what I can offer to the student body and what makes me standout. What I mean by no having a standout feature is that I don’t have any National recognitions (but for AP scholar), and while I have my fair share of varsity letters I do not think I will be going to college due to recruiting for sports. I just wanted to hear some standout features, personal quirks, or other things that are meaningful/worthy from you guys.
This post is not perfect, but gives a good idea of what impressive ECs are out there. I disagree with the 1-10 level on here for multiple reasons, but it’s useful for context!
Thank you! That post has been very helpful to put things into perspective.
You either have hooks or you don’t. Hooks are URM (Under Represented Minority), legacy, family member large donor, recruited athlete, etc.).
What you are looking for is a way to break out of the pack and be noticed. Don’t underestimate time spent on an exceptional essay. Buy one of the guides out there on writing a good college essay and write draft after draft until you are sick of reading it.
My son is Class of 2020 and he got in with a rank #5 EC (AP National School). I believe he got in as well rounded student. He is white, middle class and male.
Some things that may have helped:
- Great essays, especially for a BSE kid
- One of his ECs was starting a board game club for title one school kids, he did this for several years
- Great test scores and excellent grades in rigorous classes
- Applied SCEA
My son, a Princeton graduate, had a few things that made him stand out:
- Great transcript
- Nationally recognized community service
- High test scores
- Could solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded
- Recruited athlete
Why don’t you focus on doing something productive instead of wasting your time bragging about your son who already graduated.
I’m an incoming princeton freshman and that list seems misleading. I wouldn’t worry about rank or any of those things. The highest “rank” I had-according to that list- was around 4 or 5, maybe a stretch 6. I had very solid academic scores and many varsity letters, but not good enough to be recruited. I think the most important thing is to write well about something that a) shows your intellectual curiosity and b) matches to something you have enjoyed doing/ have a passion for.
Like pysywar’s son, I applied SCEA and BSE. If you are set on Princeton and excel in math and science, I would recommend this. The BSE essay should not be underestimated. In my opinion, it was probably the final part of my application that made the admissions department go from seeing me as a “very strong candidate” to “we want this student”. The BSE essay gives you another chance to distinguish yourself. If engineering isn’t for you, of course don’t do it. Also, be creative in the “fun facts” part of the application. I put a few jokes in mine (only do this if it matches your personality and the application as a whole).
Other than that, have fun and good luck! Just being a solid, well qualified, bright student with a terrific essay and an affinity for learning CAN be a “hook”. Be positive, work hard, and hope for the best!
I agree with @obietricekenobi on the “fan facts” part. My son usually answered them with just a few words, but where needed, he used 1-2 sentences. He was funny, vulnerable and honest. You could read his answers “know” him as a person. Those questions, if well answered, can help you stand out from your talented peers by making you memorable and relatable.
My daughter’s “hook”, if she had one, was her geographic location, and her unusual sport probably helped her stand out. However, when she went to Princeton Preview, the woman checking her in mentioned reading her essay, which was apparently memorable. Essays are definitely huge when it comes to admissions at Princeton.
By the way, the large donor hook is becoming more and more an ancient myth (the old, “You’ve got to be rich to get into Princeton”).
One of my classmates, one who was being courted by the president to make a large gift, offered $5-million if they would accept his child. He told me that the school said no, and that no amount of money would be enough. He said that instead he gave a million to [Top 20 Liberal Arts College], and his child went there and graduated.
Princeton has $2.7-million in endowment per student (total endowment over $20-billion), and estimates that they spend close to $100,000 per undergraduate student to educate one, after they filter out the non-undergrad expenses. That’s more than they charge even the full-pay students. The school, and certainly not admissions, is not focusing on increasing the endowment.
There are a handful whose parents can buy their way in (and these students still can’t be average students), but the donations have to be enormous.
Well, this might be the most notorious example - perhaps the exception that proves the rule (the younger brother had issues there too, though): http://gawker.com/5669754/the-rape-accusation-against-meg-whitmans-son-that-got-hushed-up
Yes, two Whitmans did get in, but Meg Whitman donated at least $30-million, and that was 10 years ago. And yes, the allegations of her two sons’ behavior and performance weren’t flattering to the University (to use a euphemism).