Don’t worry @zorba12345, I’m pretty sure someone did a Justin Bieber song one year and got in (it seems to be somewhat of a legend among potential TASPers).
Good luck to everyone who applied!
@zorba12345 I really wouldn’t worry about it. I certainly didn’t use fine literature either. I used Persepolis.
@mightve I heard about it through an email and also a college app book. I got a 235, but I don’t think TASP really cares about our PSAT scores. From what I’ve heard, the whole process is based on the essays and then on the interview.
@mochafrozen Hahaha I’ve heard about that! Must have been killer!
Guys I panicked about my essays so much that I didn’t realize until after I submitted it that I only filled a few parts of pages 1-3. That means that the section regarding my school, family, awards, extracurriculars are all blank. Am I like totally screwed. I already emailed them about this but I feel like I just wasted a day’s work for nothing.
I got a 214, however I never actually got an email about TASP. I don’t even remember how I heard about the program.
@mightve I think my critique was actually pretty good, it was around 1400 words and I spent about 3 days total writing it. However I didn’t really know how to write a critical analysis, so I may be waaaaay off 
I suppose the Monty Python is somewhat more high brow than Justin Bieber, but I guess it depends who you ask 
Submitted my app 2 and a half hours ago!
Spent a good two weeks cumulatively on the essays, so I’m hoping for the best.
Either way, I definitely gained a lot of insight into the prospective college process and have good essays to work off for next year, so I won’t regret the commitment.
Also, yeah, TASP couldn’t care less about PSAT scores or extracurriculars. I got a 240 so it’s a shame it goes to waste 
Cornell 1 doesn’t seem to be a popular choice, so here’s hoping that raises my abysmal chances of making it by 0.1%! I talked a lot about Islam in my application, if my reader isn’t very fond of muslims I’m screwed X_X
^ What in particular did you discuss about Islam? That’s very interesting :-). I mentioned islamic culture once in my essays while discussing racial stereotypes.
Hey guys! I just submitted my app three hours ago but would still love to discuss TASP with you guys! I’m an international from Japan, and I was wondering if it was okay to discuss similar themes throughout all five essays. (I mentioned social justice and Japanese society in practically all of them).
Obraynerd, I’m from Saudi Arabia and I’m a Muslim, so for my problem essay I discussed Islamophobia in a kind of lyrical prose, and my critical analysis was about Khaled Hosseini’s And the Mountains Echoed and accurate portrayal of minorities 
I’m just worried they might see it is a hindrance to have a girl coming in from Saudi, even though I have an American passport so I wouldn’t have a visa problem, but idk. I stress a lot.
Skysplits, I had an overall theme too! I think mine kinda mirrors yours except we’re from two very different countries x)
what kind of argument did you guys make for the critical analysis essay? I chose Sappho’s poetry & focused on the missing fragments rather than the surviving ones and argued for the role of vacancy…I have no idea whether this is an argument or what?
@ccstudent101 I talked about how the author portrayed a minority (Muslims) accurately, and in each paragraph I pointed out a way he did it, such as research/linguistics/etc, and I explained why this was important in the conclusion (bc americans tend to think muslim=terrorist but phrased in a more eloquent manner). I’m afraid it was a bit messy and not as clear as it could’ve been, though, as I was racing against the clock and threw in the towel. Ah well.
hahahahhahahaha
I did my critical analysis on Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend”. It was a little satirical at times, but I like it at least. Probz not what they’re looking for though…
I submitted at 11:59; can they tell when I submitted?
@Apollo11 they can see the time stamp, yes, but I’m 99% sure they don’t care. Also, what was the basis of your argument on the song? It’d be interesting to know:)
Also, I’m sure you’ve heard the legend of the TASPer who analysed Baby, so I don’t think you have a problem based on your choice!
@yasminalkho
I, uh, explained how Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” represents far more than a generic trashy-pop song, but instead reflects a series of enlightenments and awakenings that harken back to societal traditions of truths.
Basically, I said JB explains to the listener that swag is really/truly all you need.
For anything.
My other essays were way more serious
I didn’t add asterisk on the books that I read for school:( What should I do?
@Janebob
For TASS, I just explained in the interview. However, I doubt it’ll be a big problem.
I just wanted to congratulate everyone on finishing those arduous (but rewarding) essays
Being the pro-procrastinator I am, I actually started on all 5 of my essays yesterday…I finished at 11:51pm. I hope no one else had to experience the same kind of stress I did last night. I am content with the #2 and #3 essays, but I am very worried about #1 and #4. 
The critical analysis essay was the most challenging one for me and I do sort of regret what I decided to do. I had no idea what to write about, and in the end, I was stuck between writing it on the book “How to Annoy Your Teachers” or The Scarlet Letter. Looking back, I should have written it on the former but I chose the Scarlet Letter instead…The problem with the former would have been coming off as too silly or seeming to be one of those smart alecks we see everyday in high school.
@Apollo11
Thanks:)
Good luck to everyone that applied!!