Viral Hooks
Trending short videosRanking competitions on a tier list
L

@lumiere_edu

Instagram · Speaker address

@lumiere_edu The most famous competitions are the worst ones to enter 🏆 Follow and comment "TIERLIST" and I'll DM it to you the full list 📩 #collegeadmissions #highschool #scholarships #competitions #collegeapps #ivyleague #classof2027 #classof2028 #studytok #collegeprep 5m

View original on Instagram

The edit1 shot · 1 text
Shots Text0:58

Performance

Views
178.4K
Likes
2.4K
Comments
137
Engagement
1.4%
Outlier
54.1×
Length · 23 Jul 2026
0:58

Video #37761 · Speaker address

Ranking competitions on a tier listfrom @lumiere_edu

[01]

Overview

The creator ranks several academic and extracurricular competitions for high school students on a tier list graphic. He evaluates each competition based on its 'winnability,' arguing that competitions with a high number of applicants and few winners are F-tier, while those judged at a local or district level are S-tier because the applicant pool is smaller, providing strategic advice for students.

[02]

Simple outline

  1. 1State contrarian premise
  2. 2Rank popular item low
  3. 3Reveal niche item high
  4. 4Justify with insider logic
  5. 5Repeat ranking pattern

[03]

Related videos

[04]

Classification

Concepts
Rapid Fire ListicleExpert Rate/Rank
Elements
Tier List GraphicJump CutGraphic Overlay

[05]

Hook analysis

What stops the scroll in the first 3 seconds

Title hook · 55%

Ranking Competitions You Can Actually Win

Verbal hook · 15%

Coca Cola Scholars

Visual hook · 30%

A creator smiles directly at the camera with a large, empty tier list graphic prominently displayed, immediately establishing the video's ranking format.

[06]

Hook template

Steal this for your own video

Ranking [competitive opportunities] you can actually [desired outcome]

  • — Ranking scholarships you can actually win
  • — Ranking side hustles you can actually start broke
  • — Ranking certifications you can actually finish this month

[07]

Hook and payoff

The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back

Hook

A title card states the video's value proposition: ranking items based on a non-obvious, highly desirable metric ('Competitions You Can Actually Win').

Payoff

The completed tier list is displayed, providing a final, visually digestible summary of the creator's expert analysis and value delivery.

[08]

Narrative framework

The structural pattern this video runs on

Framework

The Contrarian Tier List

Systematically ranking a series of items within a familiar category based on a counter-intuitive or 'insider' metric, subverting common assumptions to provide high-value, actionable advice.

  1. 1

    The Contrarian Takedown

    The first item introduced is a well-known, highly regarded option. It is immediately given a very low rank, which subverts audience expectations and establishes the creator's unique, 'insider' perspective.

  2. 2

    The Insider's Gem

    The next item is a lesser-known option that is given the highest possible rank. The justification reveals a structural advantage or 'secret' that makes it superior by the video's core metric, delivering immediate and actionable value.

  3. 3

    The Pattern Reinforcement

    A third item is ranked, often reinforcing the logic from the previous beat. This solidifies the creator's evaluation criteria and teaches the audience what to look for.

  4. 4

    The Nuanced Middle Ground

    An item is placed in a mid-tier rank. The justification explains why it's neither the best nor the worst, adding nuance and demonstrating a balanced perspective.

  5. 5

    The Strategic Opportunity

    An item is placed in a lower-mid tier, but the justification frames it as a strategic choice with a specific, achievable pathway to success, offering another form of actionable advice.

  6. 6

    The Reinforcing Bookend

    The final item is another well-known, highly regarded option that is given a low rank, mirroring the opening beat and cementing the video's central thesis.

Themes

  • College preparation
  • Strategic effort
  • Finding opportunities

Techniques

  • Tier list ranking
  • Direct address
  • Comparative analysis

Trends

  • Tier list videos

Post caption

The most famous competitions are the worst ones to enter 🏆 Follow and comment "TIERLIST" and I'll DM it to you the full list 📩 #collegeadmissions #highschool #scholarships #competitions #collegeapps #ivyleague #classof2027 #classof2028 #studytok #collegeprep 5m

Text overlays

  • title · beginning

    Ranking Competitions You Can Actually Win

Ranking competitions on a tier list | Viral Hooks