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Is this considered a "hook" extracurricular?
xsi103920
0 replies2 threads New Member
hi everyone,
using an alias here as I know many people IRL who are on this forum and I don't want my identity revealed lol
I've been really stressed seeing a lot of people talk about strong extracurriculars. I consider my list rather strong but they are not inherently academic so wanted to ask people's advice.
my most prominent extracurricular is that I developed an app prototype and won a UN international competition for it, and spoke at the Climate Summit on this app via an invitation by the UNIT team. I don't know anyone else on this forum who's participated in something like this which is why I thought it could be considered a "hook" (plus it made me really proud and happy) but it's also not one of the hooks described on all the lists- inherently academic Olympiad, athletics, legacy, etc. I do have other strong ECs, but my stats are a bit 'weak' (mid 1500s SAT and subject test scores, but not as. stellar GPA.)
I applied EA to Princeton University.
Thank you!
5 replies using an alias here as I know many people IRL who are on this forum and I don't want my identity revealed lol
I've been really stressed seeing a lot of people talk about strong extracurriculars. I consider my list rather strong but they are not inherently academic so wanted to ask people's advice.
my most prominent extracurricular is that I developed an app prototype and won a UN international competition for it, and spoke at the Climate Summit on this app via an invitation by the UNIT team. I don't know anyone else on this forum who's participated in something like this which is why I thought it could be considered a "hook" (plus it made me really proud and happy) but it's also not one of the hooks described on all the lists- inherently academic Olympiad, athletics, legacy, etc. I do have other strong ECs, but my stats are a bit 'weak' (mid 1500s SAT and subject test scores, but not as. stellar GPA.)
I applied EA to Princeton University.
Thank you!
Replies to: Is this considered a "hook" extracurricular?
It's a nice EC, but does not meet the definition of a hook.
Second, there is a difference between a 'hook' and an EC that gets AO attention, The key to the difference is that a 'hook' is something that the college is looking for and *wants*: a mega-donation. Sports skills. URM. For some (but not all), legacy. Some colleges have particular prizes that they prize.
An EC that gets AO attention, on the other hand is anything from the instrument they play (orchestra needs a double bass bassoon but not tubas this year) to your prize-winning App.
Hooks are rare, and ECs that get AO attention are uncommon. My guess is that it will be what you wrote about your app that gets AO attention.
Just be super-realistic:: this business of applying to super-selective colleges can be crushing.
Don't think colleges have set definitions for terms like hook/tip/etc. If you framed your app in a way to highlight you skills well...it should work in your favor. If your intended major is say environmental/CS and you weaved a story around how your above EC fits with your career goals and/or with university culture - you did your job. Don't worry about if its a hook.
You have done the best you can and your application is done. Congratulations! Now it is out of your hands and worrying won't change anything.
I can tell you this: you will be fine wherever you end up at college. Actually, more than fine. Things will work out for the best.