<p>So I have a dilemma. An excellent dilemma, but a dilemma nonetheless.</p>
<p>I found out today that I was accepted to the RABS program at Cornell, which is essentially a very reputable biological research apprenticeship program.</p>
<p>However, the rub is that I also made it to the interview round for the TASP program. Now, RABS requires that I inform them of my decision to attend by next Friday. But my TASP interview will take place the very next day, and I won't be notified of whether I've been fully accepted to TASP until late April at the very earliest.</p>
<p>I think that both are great programs. I plan on a career in science, but I also have an unbelievable soft spot for the humanities. At this point, I really can't decide. </p>
<p>If you were in my shoes, would you reject RABS and gamble on being accepted to TASP (50-50 chance of being accepted during the interview round) or would you take the safe route and commit to attending RABS? </p>
<p>Help!</p>
<p>P.S. If anyone can comment on the relative quality of the RABS program, that would also be helpful.</p>
<p>Is there a cost associatd with RABS?</p>
<p>RABS is an excellent program; I imagine you already know that very few people are accepted into it. It's essentially an internship at Cornell. You're very lucky. (RABS is paid as well, I believe?)</p>
<p>Think of your situation with the 50-50-90 rule: If you have a 50% chance of getting something, you have a 90% chance of not getting it. You're already been accepted to one of the best programs in the Northeast; do you REALLY want to throw it away for a program that 1) has a very good chance of not accepting you, and 2) isn't much more prestigious than RABS to begin with? </p>
<p>Go to RABS. You'll have an amazing summer and an amazing credential.</p>
<p>learninginprog --- yeah, there is a price tag for RABS, whereas TASP is free. But the cost won't be an issue for my family. </p>
<p>karajan, do you mind explaining the 50-50-90 rule? Thanks for your input though!</p>
<p>50-50-90 Rule: If you have a 50% chance of getting something right, then you have a 90% chance of getting it wrong. </p>
<p>^All that a pessimist needs for day-to-day living.</p>
<p>There's only ever been one thread (or so) about RABS before, and the consensus seemed to be that RABS was a middling program that would be looked upon favorably but not really preferred over more prestigious options. Now, I think that RABS has its own merit, but should I really pick it over a good chance at getting into TASP?</p>
<p>I'd hardly say a "good" chance. Remember; about 145 (ALL but maybe 1 or 2 qualified for the program, since they made it to the interviews) come back for interviews, but only 68 make it to the program. Take into account the slots reserved for URMs (and don't you forget, there are), and you're looking at about 58 or 59 out of 145 odds. The odds aren't horrible, but they aren't good. </p>
<p>I guess your final decision depends on how much of a gambling (wo)man you are. Take the pot now or risk it all on a last bet that might make you and might break you. I really don't understand why you wouldn't be happy with RABS (I know I'd be), but one to one's own.</p>
<p>ajkcorner, I'd go to RABS, since you're planning on pursuing a career in the sciences. And there's that old adage about a bird in the hand being better than two in the bush... Or something. I probably totally butchered that.</p>
<p>And I swear I'm not saying this just because I applied to TASP too. ;)</p>
<p>Call it serendipity, but my father just tried to use that adage as well. I told him that it was valid only when the one in the hand was the same type of bird as the two in the bush ;)</p>
<p>And I'll take your attempt to steer me towards RABS as a compliment :D</p>
<p>The fact that TASP doesn't let people know their results until April 30th (even if their interview was in March) is such a pain (good prep for next year's admission rat-race, though). But it makes more sense and would probably be more beneficial for you to go to RABS if you're a science-centered person than to go to TASP, ajk. The only even slightly, vaguely sciencey TASP seminar this year is the environmental one, and that's focused on the societal effects, not the scientific aspects of environmentalism. Having a TASP seminar about society or Caribbean culture smack in the middle of a research-centered application might seem a little out of whack to colleges.</p>