My interviewer was a 30ish year old college professor. I think it went fairly well, beginning was kinda choppy, but we settled into a rhythm, actually got him to laugh a few times. From what he said, I think it’s really hard to tell how the acceptance will work now. We’re all clearly very qualified, so he told me that he sends his interview notes to the “higher ups”, and they decide more on a basis of who they think will mesh interestingly than anything.
Also, sorry if this has already been answered (just found this thread, and not exactly thrilled with reading 27 pages of text), but I was wondering how you all ranked the seminars, and what you think about each one?
I think almost everyone is done being interviewed by now…two-three weeks left and the hell we’ve been going through since December, for better or for worst (god please be for the better), will be over. I will kind of die and probably fail my APs if I don’t make it though. I’m so bad at handling rejection.
@Palegg Cornell I was my top choice! Love me some Middle Eastern conflict.
@whickering My #1 was Michigan II, the Enlightenment one. I believe I actually put Cornell I last! The reasons I gave was that, because I’m not very experienced in that topic area, I might not be able to contribute as much as I could for any of the other ones. I feel like that might make them put me in that one though, as an “learning opportunity”.
@Palegg I hope I get put in my top choice because I’m hella pro-Palestine and since the US is so infatuated with Israel, it would make way for some very interesting (read: heated) debates. Either way, I hope we both make it in!
Any word on the specific time we’ll find out, other than “early May?” I don’t want to be caught off guard hahaha
Michigan II was my last choice, @Palegg! Loved the other three topics, but not huge on Enlightenment philosophy. Cheers!
@pubkid I was told “late April”, but that’s as perfectly vague as “early May”! While I’m not opposed to the Enlightenment philosophy (I like to see how it transforms into more modern philosophy), I put it first mostly because of the focus on cities and learning communities/friendships.
Based on previous TASP threads it’s usually in the middle of the last week of April, but take that with a grain of salt. Trust this year to be the one when it actually does come out in May.
Just finished my interview!!! I can’t really judge how well it went… I fumbled quite a lot. How long did your interviews last?
@claraoswald mine was an hour long, but we had to rush it since my interviewer only had an hour. it kinda worried me because i’ve heard that some people’s interviews went on for 2-3 hours.
@whickering mine lasted for about 2 hours, but I think it was just because I was so long-winded with my answers. I wouldn’t worry if I were you!
@whickering Mine was only an hour long as well, but I was told in advance that he only had that much time. I’m sure we’re fine.
Someone I know got an email saying he’s been disqualified because his materials weren’t sent in on time… 
@Palegg the website says late April but I thought the email said early May? I really hope you’re right!
arghhh I can’t wait anymore. We’ve done our time. Does anybody think there’s hope we might get them next week?
@kurtbastian much as i wish that would happen i feel like we’re still gonna have to wait for another week and a half ;_;
Someone want to email them and ask for an approximate date? Hahah 
I just wish this thread was active. It would ease my anxiety to talk to people on here! And @pubkid I bit the bullet and called to ask about finalists last time, so I expect someone else to take one for the team and ask this time! My bet is on April 29.
definitely agree with @kurtbastian about the date–judging from past TASP threads we’ll probably be notified sometime between april 28-30. and i honestly think even the telluride office wouldn’t be able to give us a definite date…guess we’ll just have to ride this out HAHA
@kurtbastian @persnicketylemon I guess so! There aren’t too many of us left in the finalist round, so I guess it would be rather difficult to have an active thread! What did you all write about for your critical analysis?
@pubkid i think there are actually quite a few–most of us just aren’t posting very often HAHA
as for my analysis, it was on a collection of short stories that mostly center around this one guy who keeps cheating on his girlfriends and i wrote some feminist stuff about that.