<p>The TASP selection process is quite rigorous, and the students that are selected are extremely passionate about learning, and yes, the thought of spending the summer with equally passionate peers is thrilling. Someone who doesn't want to "waste" 6 weeks of their last summer at home is likely to be weeded out very quickly:)
DD's TASP friends all were very "successful" with their college applications, but they were all likely to be with or without TASP. They were incredibly interesting and accomplished and articulate--but very different in many ways, and they didn't all want to go Ivy!
Plain and simple--apply to TASP if it sounds like something you'd enjoy. You can learn a lot about yourself in the process, and even more if you get accepted, but don't do it just to collect a "trophy".</p>