<p>I know it's way early, but I've been looking around for summer programs and TASP seems like it would be such a great experience. I'm a rising sophomore, so I start my application around this December. I would be willing to put in a lot of effort for the essays; I've reviewed the prompts for last year and I already have some ideas... but I'm afraid of getting my hopes up and not getting in. I realize that there's something like a 6% acceptance rate, so my questions are 1) Is there a good enough chance of me getting in to apply? and 2) What are some other similar programs that I could apply to and that would work with the dates that you find out about TASP? (So that I wouldn't have to pay ahead of time, then end up getting into TASP and wasting money.) Also, any tips for applying?
I know that admittance is based almost solely off the essays, but if it matters, I'm ranked #1 in a class of about 250 kids in a public school (so far); I'm involved with music, Odyssey of the Mind, and tennis and track; and I'd be willing to put in a lot of work for the essays.
I just want to figure things out so that when it's time to apply for programs, I'll already know what to do and what I'm applying for. Thanks for any advice!!</p>
<p>Put in the effort, you have nothing to lose! And if you end up not getting in, you could always transform those essays into something neat like college or supplemental essays. My cousin (who goes to the big H) recommended TASP over alot of summer programs because she said many of her peers participated in the program, compared to other summer and precollege programs which are mostly money fillers.</p>
<p>My son will be heading off to TASP in a few days. True, the acceptance rate is low, but if the program interests you and you are willing to put the effort into the essays then I encourage you to try. If you have free time this summer then why not play around with the essays in advance? The prompts probably won’t change. As mentioned in the previous post you may very well find ways to reuse the essays in your college application process.</p>
<p>As far as other programs, try to look for other funded opportunities, otherwise you are just as well off finding something to do at home during the summer unless money is not a concern.</p>
<p>I believe that TASP is for juniors. Why would you be applying as a sophomore? At least that is what I remember my son received the invite.</p>
<p>Yes, TASP is for juniors. But if you do decide to apply, you are correct that TASP notifies late compared to other programs. My kid treated applying to summer programs after junior year sort of like applying to colleges; she had several reaches - TASP, the Lillehei program at U of MN, NIH internship, Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Then she had some “matches” that she had a better chance of getting into, but cost something – a summer program at Carleton and Operation Catapult at Rose-Hulman. She ended up getting into only the Carleton and Operation Catapult options. We did deposit before she heard back on all them, really had to. But it didn’t hurt her college chances a bit to not attend any of her “reach” summer programs – she still got into U of Chicago, Swarthmore, Harvey Mudd, and Carleton, plus some lower ranked schools with good merit aid. So don’t get too hung up on going to a “top” program, go to one that you find interesting (if you do a program at all). </p>
<p>Intparent, what is the NIH program? </p>
<p>Ohh, by “junior summer”, I thought they meant the summer before junior year (after sophomore year). Still, thanks for the advice everyone! I’ll keep thinking about the essays and stay hopeful :~)</p>
<p>This is actually what she applied for (didn’t get in, though):</p>
<p><a href=“Become a Summer Intern in DCEG - NCI”>http://dceg.cancer.gov/fellowship-training/summer-program/</a> </p>