Some people at CC talk of a “major hook” that gives reason for colleges to accept you even if your SATs/Transcripts isn’t above middle 50%. Is starting a club one of those “major hooks?”
It is a club that actually does something, and we are potentially “changing the community” if you want to put it that way, if that matters.
And another thing, I would assume that Student Council V.P. is not one of those hooks, cause there’s one from every school, correct? Does it mean anything?
Thanks guys.
<p>CC posters seem to have different opinions regarding the value of ECs on a college admission or scholarship application. My personal opinion is that adcoms and scholarship review committees want to see that an applicant has, along with aptitude, some leadership skills and cares about the world he/she lives in. They want to see that there is a real human being behind the GPA, SAT scores and ECs.</p>
<p>Starting a club, organization or community service project demonstrates that you have initiative and leadership skills, especially if it is something you have a passion for. How you communicate that passion in an essay may be even more valuable than the actual club or service project.</p>
<p>But don’t just start something because you think it will score more points on your application. Do it because you truly believe in it!</p>
<p>If you are looking for a “hook” that will turn on an adcom, it may not exist for you. You shouldn’t have to look for something. A hook is usually something that makes you stand out from the crowd of applicants. What is unique about you that would make an adcom take notice and want to know more about you? And what works as a hook for you may not work for me or others, as we may be very different people. People on CC have come up with a list of potential hooks.</p>
<p>creating a club looks excellent on your application. But you should create something you have a passion for. ^ gsp<em>silicon</em>valley is correct, do something you like, not something because it looks good on application.</p>
<p>one of my big hooks was how I founded a club that collects old computers and refurbishes them for use in charities. Starting something like that looks awesome on college apps. When you lead or start something new it is something that really helps define you from the crowd. Besides, its fun being in charge of something like that.</p>
<p>i started a republican club at my liberal school and as a result am a leadership scholar semifinalist at berkeley. and i def didnt get in based on my stats. so there you go.</p>
<p>I don’t think starting a club will make or break you with college admissions, but it depends upon the impact the club has and how it develops (see^^^above posts.) dd started a club for fun in senior year. It’s a knitting club to teach ppl how to knit and it turned out to be wildly popular–even boys are doing it. They had a charity scarf auction before the holidays, and also were invited to knit for the parent’s annual fundraiser/auction. This was no big hook or anything and not mentioned on some of the apps, either.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the input guys, I really appreciate it. And I did not start the club for my own personal gain on college apps, so my actions I guess are pure for that matter. It is our school’s first political club/organization, and hopefully will lead to a school debate club if I can convince the principal to fund it. </p>
<p>The reason I was asking was because I was worried about admissions for next year, since I will have had 3 B’s by the end of this year, luckily 2 in AP classes, 1 in Honors, but I have still been desperate to convince myself that I still have a shot at top universities.</p>
<p>ichiboy your computer club sounds awesome! If I had any experience with the Windows world I would totally steal your idea. :)</p>