<p>Just as the title suggests, are there any programs for those of us who don't really want to attend math/science oriented programs? For the humanities, just as prestigious as TASP? I've been looking into creative writing programs too. What are the most prestigious?</p>
<p>Rate on a prestige factor from 1-10. </p>
<p>P.S: This is an analysis of the Harvard's/Yale's that dominate the summer programs scene, and in no way is referential to how I would choose a program (By looking at fit, and not prestige). I thought it would be interesting to see the type of programs that colleges revere in terms of prestige - The ones that could even slightly alter the admission as TASP is know to do so. Not the ones like Oxbridge or CTY - Ones that don't show your parents are millionaires or whatever is the impression that is given of. Basically the ones that are respected.</p>
<p>The acceptance rate for TASP this year will be between three and seven percent (I think they had ~1,050 applications for 2011).</p>
<p>In addition, TASP only sends invitations to people with very high PSAT scores (though I think you can apply regardless). A friend of mine got a 232 and was sent the materials; I got a 228 and wasn’t :(. So I’m guessing their cutoff is 230, which is nearly insanely high.</p>
<p>Last year the 99th percentile in my state was on the lower end (under 215) so I was still in the top 1%. Even if I lived in DC or Massachusetts (223?!), I would’ve been fine. Perhaps they use the 99.9th percentile or something …</p>
<p>Bah.</p>
<p>Actually, as TASP is a humanities-oriented program, they might judge it based off whoever got a certain score on both the critical reading and writing sections. I got an 80 on the latter but only a 76 on the former (yes wth I only got a 72 on math … because I misread two problems).</p>
<p>I don’t think it is that, because I got a perfect score on the math but then lower scores than you on both reading and writing. I decided not to apply because I’m not really a humanities person. And it might just be the 99.9th percentile because Maine doesn’t test very well.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry you weren’t invited! It sounds like you deserved it way more than me!</p>
<p>Nah, I’m not really into humanities either :P. Usually I’m better at math, but meh. I also don’t care for any of the four TASPs this year or the fact that I would have a ~4% chance of getting in but first have to write six essays.</p>
<p>I’m a current applicant to TASP (was chosen as a finalist, had my interview a few days ago). My PSAT score was a 218, but I never received an application (I nominated myself), which anyone can do according to the website. It seems like a life-changer if I can manage to get the acceptance (about 140 applications left, 64 of us get to go). Final decisions are released in early May according to the website, applicants for next year can start their essays in… December, I think (not sure).</p>
<p>As for creative writing workshops, you should look into the Iowa Writers Workshop (for high schoolers) and the Kenyon Review’s workshop for young writers. I got sent brochures for both of those, they seem like a great investment in your time if you like creative writing. Granted, they’re not incredibly prestigious or anything, but the writing faculty for both those schools are among the nation’s best.</p>
<p>Actuallly decrescendo, Iowa and Kenyon are very prestigious - maybe not as much as TASP, but definitely pretty high up. I’d venture to say they’re the best writing programs.</p>
<p>Be careful–while many TASPers are accepted to top colleges, there are those who are not. It isn’t an auto-acceptance at top schools. More likely, TASP selects applicants who are already tremendously impressive and whose chances at top schools are already greater than those of most applicants.</p>
That’d be impressive. Not many kids applying to the program do that.
I mean, I have a story, but I’m sure I’m not the only one with that kind of story. So I’m not really impressive</p>