What is a hook?
To simplify, a hook is just what it sounds like—a particularly compelling aspect of a student’s profile that “hooks” the attention of admissions officers and helps them stand out from other applicants.
In most cases, a hook typically refers to a specialized narrative or series of achievements that a student intentionally builds over the course of his or her high school career. It could be demonstrated through participation in a prestigious summer program, the completion of an incredible accomplishment, such as representing the US at an International Science Olympiad, or the development of a passion project, like publishing a book or starting a small business.
Keep in mind that a hook doesn’t necessarily have to be over-the-top impressive or prestigious—it is rather a well-developed record of distinctive achievements, activities, or service in one or two specific areas of interest. A hook is often a combination of all of the above factors, reflecting the unique permutation of a student’s background and life experiences, interests and talents, and accomplishments. Genuine interest and authentic passion are the most important components in creating a compelling hook.
Colleges value diversity and tend to value hooks related to intellectual, creative, and communal pursuits. They are looking for students not just with a zeal for studying and doing well in school, but who are deeply passionate about their selected interests and hobbies. They are looking for productivity and initiative in those areas, as well as evidence that students will bring what they love to campus and share their talents and projects with their college community.
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A student’s hook should be wholly unique to them, showing self-reflection about their interests, deep understanding of their intended field, and a creative approach to their discipline(s). Our expert Senior Mentors work one-on-one with students starting as early as seventh grade to help them identify their core passions, find their specific niche within their desired area of study, and gain hands-on experience in their discipline to stand out to their dream schools.
How to Demonstrate Your Hook: The Passion Project
Developing and demonstrating your hook will require multiple activities and achievements, both in school and out of school. Many intermediary steps and hours of hard work are necessary to earn impressive accolades related to your hook—such as a competitive, national-level award, fellowship, or admission to a summer program. That being said, one of the most compelling ways to showcase your hook to top colleges is through a passion project.
A passion project is an independent creative endeavor that highlights your core passions and skills. It should demonstrate initiative and convince colleges that you are truly invested in your subject of interest.
What might you do as a passion project? If you’re interested in literature and writing, for example, you might decide to write a short novel that you then submit for publication or compile a group of short stories or poems that you publish in an online journal. If your interests lie in the non-fiction sphere, you might start your own journal or blog, delving into a specific topic that you find meaningful or informative. If you consider yourself to be more of a visual person than a verbal one, you could create a set of paintings or drawings that you then compile into an art portfolio. If you are more scientifically inclined, you could consider developing an application or a website using your knowledge of coding. If you’re interested in political activism and making a change in the world, you might set up a not-for-profit organization dedicated to a cause that you care about, such as climate change or racial justice.
Passion projects are a great way to delve into your interests and, often, to make a true difference in your community. Although most passion projects tend to be individual pursuits, they can create a profound impact on your community, either by direct service or by indirect influence (i.e. writing about a cause, creating an impactful piece of art, etc.). Passion projects can also allow you to showcase your leadership skills and creative talents in a way that is more unique than just playing cello as a member of your school’s orchestra or participating in your school’s yearbook advisory board. Your passion project is truly your place to exercise complete control over the development of your creative vision. See below for examples of how to turn your hook into a passion project!
At the end of the day, however, whichever hook and project you choose should reflect your genuine interests rather than the interests you suspect colleges might want to see. College admissions officers are looking for authentic passion in your admissions portfolio, and your passion will shine through most brightly if you choose an idea that you’re genuinely devoted to. Above all, have fun with whatever you choose to do!
Key Tip:
The most important quality of the passion project is that it reflects your genuine passion for your intended area of study. Many students assume that their passion project will only impress Ivy League admissions officers if they solve a global issue, generate thousands of dollars of capital, or earn renowned accolades—but this simply isn’t true, and if a student manages to do these things because they have leveraged their parents’ connections or outsourced the work to others, it can actually hurt their admissions odds. Instead, students should focus on making a meaningful difference in their own local community based on issues that truly matter to them. Admissions officers are less interested in the scale of your project than in the ways it showcases your authentic commitments and capabilities.
Passion projects are a great way to delve into your interests and, often, to make a true difference in your community. Although most passion projects tend to be individual pursuits, they can create a profound impact on your community, either by direct service or by indirect influence (i.e. writing about a cause, creating an impactful piece of art, etc.). Passion projects can also allow you to showcase your leadership skills and creative talents in a way that is more unique than just playing cello as a member of your school’s orchestra or participating in your school’s yearbook advisory board. Your passion project is truly your place to exercise complete control over the development of your creative vision. See below for examples of how to turn your hook into a passion project!
What Our Senior Mentors Have to Say:
“To begin identifying the right passion project for a student, Senior Mentors first work through an “exploration phase” with their students. This stage of the process–which can take anywhere from three months to a year depending on the student’s age–allows students to delve into various activities and disciplines and determine where their skills and interests lie. We seek to help students to brainstorm a project that allows them to both showcase their skills and, if applicable, to make a positive impact on their community. This involves considering what they enjoy, what they’re good at, what their community may need, and what their future goals are (such as attending a certain type of institution or obtaining a particular degree.) Our goal is to set students on a meaningful path in pursuit of their academic and professional goals and equip them with the tools that will serve them along the way.” —Gabe, Managing Director
To learn more about how our expert Senior Mentors can help you develop a project that mobilizes your unique passions, check out our Q&A with Gabe!
At the end of the day, however, whichever hook and project you choose should reflect your genuine interests rather than the interests you suspect colleges might want to see. College admissions officers are looking for authentic passion in your admissions portfolio, and your passion will shine through most brightly if you choose an idea that you’re genuinely devoted to. Above all, have fun with whatever you choose to do!
Key Tip:
If you’re wondering how your hook can inform your choice of college major, check out Command Education’s Comprehensive Guide to Major Selection!
3 Steps for Developing Your Hook
Developing a hook may seem intimidating to some students, but remember that your hook is all about discovering and exploring what you love! It should be guided by authentic interest, curiosity, and enjoyment. Additionally, it is beneficial to start exploring your interests early in your high school career to maximize opportunities around you and begin establishing your hook early. To create a hook, follow these three steps:
1. Reflect on what you like to do.
Finding a hook begins with self-reflection. Consider first what ignites your passions and interests—whether inside the classroom or outside of it. Even passions that are not as academically inclined can still be intriguing and easily become hooks. Do you love playing video games? Writing poetry in your spare time? These interests can form the basis of an engaging and unique hook.
2. Find ways to explore your passion from different angles.
As you identify your core interest, seek to explore that interest in diverse ways throughout your high school career. First and foremost, take challenging courses that relate to your hook. If your school offers AP and IB courses, strive to enroll in those, as they could ultimately count for college credit at certain schools. Additionally, pursue opportunities to deepen your engagement with the subject outside of the classroom. For instance, a student who loves English and creative writing might start out by joining a book club at school but continue exploring her passion for literature by attending selective summer programs. She might then start her own passion project, teaching poetry to students at her local library and writing a novella, then pursue publication in literary magazines, and submit to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and other essay contests. The more opportunities you take advantage of to explore your interest, the better!
3. Incorporate service, leadership, and interdisciplinary pursuits into your activities.
Above all, you should prioritize staying active and committed to your passions in the ways that are most meaningful and authentic to you. The best way to do this is to increasingly take on leadership roles related to your hook. If your school doesn’t offer a club related to your hook, demonstrate initiative and leadership by creating a club yourself. If you are involved in clubs or organizations on campus, plan to run for a leadership position during your sophomore or junior year. Doing so will show your commitment to your subject of interest and your motivation to build community around your passions.
I want to develop my hook in…
Law & Political Science
Economics & Business
STEM
Literature
Medicine
Music
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hook?
A hook is just what it sounds like—a particularly compelling aspect of a student’s profile that “hooks” the attention of admissions officers and helps them stand out from other applicants.
What is a passion project?
A passion project is an independent creative endeavor that highlights your core passions and skills. It should demonstrate initiative and convince colleges that you are truly invested in your subject of interest.
How do I develop a hook if I don’t have a passion?
It’s okay not to have a set passion right away! As you begin to explore your interests, it’s important to be conscious and reflective, paying close attention to what you discover about your likes and dislikes along the way. Invest yourself further in that which naturally interests you, and get creative as you find new ways to explore it — whether that be through a different course, a related club or summer program or an internship.
What are examples of passion projects?
Passion projects can take many forms, from writing and publishing a book, starting a website, blog or YouTube channel, founding an organization, club or other community group, or researching and publishing about your own academic interests. You might become involved in local politics, enact meaningful change through an internship, develop your art portfolio and display your works locally or online. There really is no limit to what you can take on and call a “passion project.”
Where should I add my passion project on the Common App?
You should highlight your accomplishments on your Activities List, as well as write about them in your supplemental essays. If you feel like writing about your passion project in those two places is not sufficient, you can also provide further information on the additional information section.
Why are passion projects important?
Passion projects are a fantastic way to explore your interests outside of the opportunities traditionally available to you at school. In the college admissions process, passion projects allow you to showcase your interests, passions, leadership acumen, and authentic potential. Most importantly, a unique passion project will serve to set you apart from your peers in the college admissions process.
