<p>I understand many great schools consider a legacy as a hook. How about this?</p>
<p>Let’s say your Mock Trial coach was Stanford undergraduate and law school graduate and likes your S or D a lot since your child is showing a great passion and doing excellent job in the mock trial team (maybe likes the personality as well). Then, the coach promises to write a great recommendation letter to Stanford if your child applies. </p>
<p>Will this be kind of good hook or the recommendation letter is being just a letter?</p>
<p>This isn’t a hook, but it could be a good recommendation letter to add to your child’s application.</p>
<p>I would hope the student who doesn’t have that coach is not disadvantaged by this. I’m sure any U would pay attention to an alumnus writing a meaningful letter, but shouldn’t be a hook. I sure hope that who you know isn’t as important as who you are. Let the fact that your child is excellent be the hook and don’t waste time/energy with this. Do encourage her to get this letter because the coach can point out her talents.</p>
<p>It’s not a hook. Sorry…but things YOUR kid does that are superlative are the hooks, not the things the coaches do.</p>
<p>Looking for “hooks” really is a futile thing to do. Just hope that your kid has what the school is looking for as part of the entering class and that’s that.</p>