<p>And also, any suggestions for the personal conflict essay? Was that essay relatively short compared to some of the others? And would you recommend having a teacher or somebody read over the essays, or to just turn it in as is?</p>
<p>Hi guys! I’m applying to TASP too and my main concern so far is showing them my personality. I feel like I would be a really good candidate, and I definitely identify with their goals of an educational community, but I can’t figure out how to get across “what makes me who I am” in an application-- I have really diverse interests am extremely passionate, but my application just feels lackluster… any tips?</p>
<p>Hey everyone, I got an email from TASP inviting me to apply on the 17th but I didn’t really look at the application until today. I’m not the best writer out there, but my test scores, GPA, extracurriculars, and such are rather strong, so I don’t know what my chances are. But the programs TASP offers seem wonderful! Michigan I and II both seem really interesting. Good luck to everyone applying, and hopefully we’ll be able to meet each other this summer! 
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<p>@SMPak786 I’m not an alumni, just applying…but mine’s pretty long. And slightly indie, if that makes sense.</p>
Is The Catcher in the Rye too common/popular to write my critical analysis on?
EDIT:
What about Ender’s Game?
@meaa7130 i’m not applying to TASP this year (i’m a sophomore), but I honestly think that what really matters is the quality of your analysis. If you can write a kick-ass analysis of the catcher in the rye then go for it. I don’t think you HAVE to write about something obscure
Hi, I’m applying to TASP this year as well, and I’m concerned about my essays, which I’ve written already. I tend to try to stick to strict essay rules that I learnt, like not using the first person too often, and I sometimes write very complex and long sentences. Do you think that this problem will weigh in to the decision process, or are the decisions made more on the content of the essays? Thank you.
@mdclassof2017 thanks for the advice… I was just concerned that my analysis wouldn’t be unique enough. I really shouldn’t have procrastinated, but oh well.
Hey guys just checking in again. I’ve been so busy the past few weeks that I haven’t been able to take the time to sit down ad seriously write my essays! 
I feel like rushed writing is going to ruin me… Anyways just finished my rough draft of my [what I want to do for my] future essay.
In my choose-whatever-topic-you-want essay I want to write about a cock fight that I witnessed in the Philippines and how it reminded me of war and talk about my views of war (I’m pretty much a pacifist). Can any alumni tell me if this is a bad idea? I know cock fights are illegal but will my being in the Philippines help or should I just scrap it? Is it a bad idea to even compare war to cock fights?
Hufffffff…puuffff… this application process is so energy consuming but I’m secretly enjoying this excuse to write 
HELLO guys! I have some questions about the critical analysis essay and was wondering if one of you could help me~ In the application form it says we should formulate an argument about the text, however I’m confused what kind of argument should I have. Can the argument just be related to the topic the text is about? Or does the argument need to be about what the author actually means through the text? I’ve tried a critical analysis about a novel, however was in danger of paraphrasing in order to support my argument. What is critical analysis actually? That’s my main confusion, Thank you guys!
Okay a couple questions, do you think its okay if I do my critical analysis on poetry that is not in english? Also HELP PLEASE on the conflict essay? How long or in depth is it? Also for the write about any issue essay I was thinking about writing about something to do with mainstream media, does that fit the category?
@awsm person, I totally feel you! My sentences tend to be long, complex and flowing–and my critical analysis essay was just this really hard, clinical disection of Nietzsche. However, they still accepted me (one end of the spectrum), and another girl who analyzed Justin Bieber’s songs (other end of the spectrum), so just do your thing and you’ll be fine! If you’re still a little nervous, what I did was balance out my critical analysis essay with a more personal and simple essays for the rest of the application
@ SMPak 786, ohhhhh yes pls pls pls do your critical analysis on poetry not in english, like Pablo Neruda? he’s the bomb. What I would suggest doing is at least providing a translation (whatever you quote, translate), but if you read the language (or at least, know enough to interpret it) and you think the original has stuff that translations lack, do be sure to go into that, and it’s ok to explain things as well.
For my conflict essay, I pretty much maxed out the word limit (but I did that with every essay, I’m a kind of wordy writer). You pm me about my topic (I’m not going to post it on here, it’s very personal), but I think that it’s also important to explain your thought process and what you got out of it, rather than just a straightforward narrative that shows that you can solve conflicts (tho that’s important as well) <3
Hi all,
Joined this website for this specific topic (pathetic right?). I had no idea TASP even existed until I got the email, but it’s an interesting opportunity and I’m definitely applying. Wrote one of my essays today…
Anyways, I have a few questions:
As far as the analysis essay goes, do you think I could do it on a music artist’s body of work? Or do I need to focus on a specific song/album?
In the application, how should I structure the intellectual interests section?
Alumni, what’s the work load like? Is it overwhelming, not much, interesting work, etc?
Thanks in advance, and good luck to all who are applying!
Hey everyone! Hope your apps are going well! I’m applying to TASP this year as well and have a question about the activities section on the form. If two of my activities are volunteer related do you all think it’s okay to still put them in the activities section? Or should I only put them in the “describe your volunteer and work experience” section? Thanks!!
Hey guys! I’m finishing up my application. Hoping it’s going well for you all! Hopefully this’ll be an interesting summer for all of us. What are y’all looking forward to? What is the usual acceptance rate?
Anyone want to get together for a final essay critiquing section? PM me if interested!
How’s it going guys! Hope all is well I’m sweating in stress… stressin in sweat? (Too tired to be coherent right now…)
I am so behind on my essays, I just started my critical analysis today. I’m doing it on the song Boys Latin by Panda Bear (+100 brownies point if you know it and +1000 if you actually like it), which only has 6 lines. Do you think having a short critical analysis essay will kill me?
@Obraynerd
“As long as you answer the questions completely and concisely and stay within the word limit on each essay you will not be penalized based on how long your responses are.”
I think you’ll be fine. My future essay will probably only be about 1000 words, and my analysis essay as well. My other two essays are around 1,300. And if it helps, I still need to right my critical analysis and future essay- it’s gonna be a long weekend!
mine are all about 1000 give or take 100