Hooks That Get Noticed

Compelling stories are the most popular type of hooks. The story of a first-generation immigrant who has achieved a high level of success in a new country with a new culture and language is a big hook. The international student from an underrepresented country who can bring a unique perspective to campus is no less appealing than the daughter of an alumnus applying for admission.

Speaking of which, geographic location can serve as a hook in the admissions process. The majority of applicants to a particular tend to come from the same area as the school itself, and in this respect, an applicant from another state or outside the US is valuable.

Mention the Good and the Bad

Then there are the heartstring cases. These are stories of candidates who had to overcome some form of adversity to succeed, and ADCOMs have great amount of respect for them. Take for example the black girl in a rural area who worked during school to support her five siblings. Such a profile of an applicant will tug the hearts of any ADCOM, so in this case her lack of ECAs will not impact her chances much.

If you have to overcome some sort of adversity in your life, be sure that it gets mentioned somewhere on your application; be it in the essay, or your recommendations. ADCOMs will forgive the lack of ECAs if you had to pump gas in order to care for your sick mother. Colleges love applicants with ‘adversity’ written in their lives because they are generally more mature in their thinking.

Needless to Say... Connections Can Help

As in so many things and places, having connections can help. Children of faculty receive additional consideration at all colleges. The significance of the hook depends on the school. Some may admit you automatically as long as you meet their minimum requirements while at other places it may just mean a more careful review. Again, remember this: a hook is not enough to get you into any colleges if you don’t have the numbers.

Enough said.