s/o Is Math Olympiad Summer Program (MOP) qualification a hook?

[Anonymous]

For an Asian male
DS may not be interested in computer science/ENG but possibly a math adjacent field (physics).

[Anonymous]

"Hooks" are being an URM, legacy or athlete.

What you're taking about is a nice extracurricular. I'm sure it helps but it's not a hook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Hooks" are being an URM, legacy or athlete.

What you're taking about is a nice extracurricular. I'm sure it helps but it's not a hook.

Bingo. (But I would add faculty/staff and development/donor candidate as hooks as well. But that's all.)

[Anonymous]

Interesting comment on the process --- faculty/staff/legacy kid is just luck of the draw. MOP qualification means that you are in the top 50 or so kids of all high schoolers (at least in math).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting comment on the process --- faculty/staff/legacy kid is just luck of the draw. MOP qualification means that you are in the top 50 or so kids of all high schoolers (at least in math).

Yes, that's the point. The hooks are elements of your identity that give you an advantage beyond what you've done (other than athletics). Your activities are what you are actually evaluated by. So MOP qualification may make you a very desirable candidate (or not) but it's not a hook.

[Anonymous]

It is extremely impressive and will likely get you into a top uni, regardless of whether it is called a hook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Hooks" are being an URM, legacy or athlete.

What you're taking about is a nice extracurricular. I'm sure it helps but it's not a hook.

I would actually categorize hooks as institutional priorities, which could also include geography, discrepancies of previous classes, arts, donors, name recognition, etc. But, I'd agree that this opportunity, while a nice addition, would not be a hook.

OP, this will really help your kid if he integrates it well into his narrative in applications. Also, it might be a good idea to cultivate some interests that would not be typical for Asian males. Theatre, chorus, dance, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is extremely impressive and will likely get you into a top uni, regardless of whether it is called a hook.

Absolutely. It is a major accomplishment.

[Anonymous]

Probably not, my oldest was president of his school’s quiz bowl and it’s academic team (tv show) and won a lot of matches and that was a not a hook. A nice extra curricular is the correct way to look at this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Probably not, my oldest was president of his school’s quiz bowl and it’s academic team (tv show) and won a lot of matches and that was a not a hook. A nice extra curricular is the correct way to look at this.

NP. With all due respect, MOP/USAMO/USAJMO vs quiz bowl etc are not the same level.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, there's endless criticism of useless humanities degrees, and everyone seems to forget math is the OG humanities degree that commands zero respect. People have always disparaged mathematicians, they always will. Want a little insight into the current landscape, the New Yorker article on eliminating grad math in WV should do: https://t.co/p3qCC0Eh5i. Good at math there are two options. One, get an engineering degree or similar (from anywhere), become a corporate cog, support a family, keep an eye out to ride the layoff wave to the next job. Or, two, just love math and somehow be self-sustaining with a pad of paper. MOP qualification is an anchor not a hook!

[Anonymous]

Yes! I think mit and cal tech have a question whether you were one and your score.

[Anonymous]

What’s his IQ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Probably not, my oldest was president of his school’s quiz bowl and it’s academic team (tv show) and won a lot of matches and that was a not a hook. A nice extra curricular is the correct way to look at this.

NP. With all due respect, MOP/USAMO/USAJMO vs quiz bowl etc are not the same level.

Exactly. I don’t think most people realize how truly impressive this is. Only the best 50-60 math students in the entire country get selected based on merit (test scores) for a free summer program. I hope your child is going. It is way more impressive than a perfect SAT score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes! I think mit and cal tech have a question whether you were one and your score.

MOP qualification has no score! You have to qualify for and ace the USA(J)MO! The cutoffs are pretty ridiculous -- 5 out of 6 correct solutions (at least the last edition) in JMO and about 3 correct solutions in the much harder USAMO.