What should you avoid in a hook?

How to Write a Strong College Essay Hook

When starting your college essay, the opening lines matter. Unfortunately, many students fall into predictable traps that instantly lose the admissions officer's attention. To make your introduction stand out, you should avoid using famous quotes, sweeping grand statements about humanity, or clichés like "ever since I was little" or "as long as I can remember."

The main problem with these common approaches is that they are entirely generic. They fail to tell the reader anything specific or unique about you. Instead of hiding behind someone else's words or vague generalities, dive straight into a concrete moment, a vivid detail, or a distinct voice that authentically introduces who you are.