Hook

[Anonymous]

Are specific instruments really a hook? My kid is very good at a difficult instrument (Interlochen, regional orchestras) but it was my impression this wouldn't matter for admissions (or at least wouldn't matter more than any other activity to show he has dedication and outside interests).

[Anonymous]

First generation college student, and pell grant eligible are both very valuable hooks right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First generation college student, and pell grant eligible are both very valuable hooks right now.

but the college does not know if the student is pell grant eligible until AFTER the acceptance and the FAFSA and other financial aid work is done

[Anonymous]

Is there a percentage of dna needed to qualify for urm ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are specific instruments really a hook? My kid is very good at a difficult instrument (Interlochen, regional orchestras) but it was my impression this wouldn't matter for admissions (or at least wouldn't matter more than any other activity to show he has dedication and outside interests).

it can be if the instrument they play is the instrument the band or orchestra needs and they are the best that is interested in the school

[Anonymous]

But to answer the question, for some lesser known schools, being a legacy (but not giving money) might be an advantage (stats otherwise being acceptable) because the school thinks perhaps admission may make you give more money.

But in general for the more elite schools, yes, they want to see substantial giving. A history of it. Seven figures or a building-sized gift.

Being a legacy but not giving money can help at MANY schools, not just lesser known ones. The case against Harvard revealed that the legacy admission rate was above 30%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a percentage of dna needed to qualify for urm ?

25%. you need to have it lab certified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:URM, full pay, athlete

I would not put "full pay" in there with URM and athlete.

Because overcoming racism or playing a sport exceptionally well are actual achievements, and having rich parents is just luck?

A hook is something that rich white kids can complain about as a way to assuage their hurt feelings about the fact that college admissions are competitive and they didn't win.

I would not consider full pay a hook (like URM and athlete) because being full pay does not help that much (certainly not like being an athlete or URM). but I would consider legacy a hook.

School dependent on whether legacy is a hook. Not relevant at some schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

But to answer the question, for some lesser known schools, being a legacy (but not giving money) might be an advantage (stats otherwise being acceptable) because the school thinks perhaps admission may make you give more money.

But in general for the more elite schools, yes, they want to see substantial giving. A history of it. Seven figures or a building-sized gift.

Being a legacy but not giving money can help at MANY schools, not just lesser known ones. The case against Harvard revealed that the legacy admission rate was above 30%.

OK, but my high-stats kid was applying to Harvard and got a soft rejection. We were told seven figures. We gave - oh - maybe 1 figure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

But to answer the question, for some lesser known schools, being a legacy (but not giving money) might be an advantage (stats otherwise being acceptable) because the school thinks perhaps admission may make you give more money.

But in general for the more elite schools, yes, they want to see substantial giving. A history of it. Seven figures or a building-sized gift.

Being a legacy but not giving money can help at MANY schools, not just lesser known ones. The case against Harvard revealed that the legacy admission rate was above 30%.

OK, but my high-stats kid was applying to Harvard and got a soft rejection. We were told seven figures. We gave - oh - maybe 1 figure

Oh, forgot to mention. Legacy at Harvard. Double legacy at Yale. Faculty assistance at Princeton. No big money donations = soft rejection everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:First generation college student, and pell grant eligible are both very valuable hooks right now.

I keep hearing that. But DS freshman at an Ivy is surrounded by rich white kids. Which schools are upping their numbers considerably for the first gen and/or Pell student?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First generation college student, and pell grant eligible are both very valuable hooks right now.

but the college does not know if the student is pell grant eligible until AFTER the acceptance and the FAFSA and other financial aid work is done

Colleges send financial aid information with acceptances, so they definitely have that information when they are making decisions.

There are far more need aware schools that prioritize full pay applicants than there are schools that prioritize pell grant recipients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are specific instruments really a hook? My kid is very good at a difficult instrument (Interlochen, regional orchestras) but it was my impression this wouldn't matter for admissions (or at least wouldn't matter more than any other activity to show he has dedication and outside interests).

it can be if the instrument they play is the instrument the band or orchestra needs and they are the best that is interested in the school

If we're going to describe learned skills as "hooks", then wouldn't high grades and test scores be "hooks"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newbie - what is a hook ?

Google search is your friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are specific instruments really a hook? My kid is very good at a difficult instrument (Interlochen, regional orchestras) but it was my impression this wouldn't matter for admissions (or at least wouldn't matter more than any other activity to show he has dedication and outside interests).

it can be if the instrument they play is the instrument the band or orchestra needs and they are the best that is interested in the school

If we're going to describe learned skills as "hooks", then wouldn't high grades and test scores be "hooks"?

Nope. Everyone applying to the top schools have high grades and test scores. Nothing there sticks out.