<p>kayakmom, my son is at CTY now (and will be going to second session, too), and I was just sick to hear about the cancellation at that one site! I’m so sorry for your son! (And all the kids; I know how much mine loves CTY, and what a heartbreak it is for the kids that their classes had to be cancelled!)</p>
<p>I don’t know what more CTY could have done; when my son checked in, there was a health screening table as the first stop, to check for fever, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, etc. Flu is going around at my kid’s site, too. I sent a text to my kid telling him to wash his hands a lot, which won’t help at all if someone sneezes on him, of course! I’ve been watching the web page pretty closely for updates.</p>
<p>TASP looks for students with strong opinions, excellent writing skills and a gift for analysis. The program is FREE! It is also pretty selective-- about 8% of applicants will make to one of the three sites (Cornell, UMich and UtAustin).</p>
<p>My son attended the UMich TASP in 2008. He was invited to apply based on PSAT scores, but anyone can apply just by downloading the application from the website. Applicants are asked to write several brief essays, make a booklist and place the offered programs in order of preference (and explain that preference). About 20% of applicants will be asked to interview in person. The interview lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours and can be conducted by a single Telluride association member or by several. The interview typically focuses on the applicant essays.</p>
<p>There is also TASS for rising sophmores interested in issues of race.</p>