I know it’s really early and TASP results for 2019 have just come out, but I’m really looking forward to applying to TASP next year! Has anyone else started thinking about it yet, or am I just really overeager?
I’ve started thinking about it too… Do you know when the new essay questions come out?
Do not apply to TASP.
I was a 2019 TASPer at UMich, and I can confidently say that choosing to attend the Telluride Association Summer Program was one of the absolute worst decisions of my life! For starters, the people who are selected are all just RSI rejects, including me. Everyone thinks they are the next great Nietzsche, but let me assure you, they are just racially-“diverse” high school kids who got high scores on the PSAT. It would be a stretch to even call the program “diverse”, as every participant is just an ethnically-diluted centrist who refers to themselves as a “progressive liberal”. Laughable. Just like any high school program of hormonal teenagers, there was catty drama, unnecessary romantic relationships, macho men and ditzy girls. Naivety in its finest. Do yourself a favor, and just work a little bit harder on your RSI application to spare yourself the utter disgrace that is the Telluride Association Summer Program.
I mean, it still an honor to get in…
Hey, @TASP2019SCAM. I was also a TASPer in the same TASP as you. I’m sorry that you felt this way- I personally had a blast. I just don’t appreciate that you’re calling all of us nothing but ditzy girls and macho men when we spent 6 weeks together and formed incredible friendships. Personally? I didn’t apply to RSI, I hate science lol. My PSAT score wasn’t that high. I think Nietzsche is not very remarkable. I know that most of the other TASPers at UMich didn’t apply to RSI either. So please, stop spreading lies about the program that gave me and 14 others such amazing memories. I honestly really doubt you’re even one of us. A lot of what you said is very general and could apply to any program anywhere. Also, what does ethnically-diluted even mean??
Tasp course descriptions are up. I’m pretty psyched about the Maryland and Cornell ones, but I’m a little iffy about the UMichigan one. Still, they all look super cool!
Same here Flame Alchemist, I’m personally most excited for the Cornell ones. Exploring writing styles or humor effect on society sounds really fun. Do you know when the application questions will be available?
I think they’ll be out in early November; that’s what the timeline says, in any case.
Hey guys! I was a former TASPer who had an amazing time at TASP and would definitely recommend the program. If you have any questions about TASP (either what it’s like there or the application process), please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve also made some videos and written blog articles about it, so I’ll link them here as a primer of sorts, so you can get a sense of what it’s like:
How I got into TASP: https://youtu.be/N2KA5X-LEKc
My experience at TASP (Part 1): https://youtu.be/TcLM_Be2Aj8
My experience at TASP (Part 2): https://youtu.be/ynCG9Uo-HLY
The TASP interview: https://youtu.be/QMP6b_g7zfQ
Blog article about TASP: https://www.myivyeducation.org/single-post/2018/11/21/The-Telluride-Association-Summer-Program-Countdown-to-Summer
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@TASP2019SCAM Its way overgeneralizing to say this about TASP. Yes, each experience is individual, but at the TASP that I was (Cornell), we had an absolute BLAST. If any of y’all reading this is considering this program, know that it is what you and your TASPers make of it – which in our case was an incredible experience. I learned so much from our discussions, rethought a lot of my own ideas, and met some of the best people. Idk about Michigan since I wasn’t there but I know that Cornell was the best and these TASPers will always be my amazing and beautiful friends. Please apply to this amazing program if you have an open mind, want to learn, and meet brilliant people along the way. Don’t base your opinion just on someone’s bad experience, since it really is different for everyone <3
Hey! I was also a TASPer this year at Cornell, and I’m very sorry your summer was not the best. I absolutely agree with @watermelondrea in that everyone has their own individual experiences with TASP, and I have to say that my experience was absolutely life changing! At the end of the day, TASP really is what you make of it and what you want to get out of it. This summer, I met some of the most supportive and beautiful people in the whole entire world; each one of them SO unique and brilliant and talented in their own way. There were definitely some days that were harder than others… There were community forums where we stayed up until 2AM discussing the occasional conflict, but if anything, that brought us all closer because we all cared for each other enough to address those! The special thing about TASP is that when you guys get there, you are all on an even playing field despite coming from wildly different background (countries even), and you and your fellow TASPers decide how your summer will go. The most important thing is to approach with an open heart and mind- you’d be surprised how many strong bonds you can create and how many ways your world can be opened up. The Cornell 19 TASPers still talk to each other in a group chat every single day. I think our community has grown even after the program ended, and I am so proud to call these people my friends.
I would highly recommend applying to this program, and embracing all the opportunities it brings! Most likely, you’ll be surrounded by some pretty cool people with pretty cool stories, and a million eye-opening things to learn, experience, and and absorb. And if nothing else, you’ll get a super interesting seminar with super insightful professors and a summer for the books.
Hi!
I was a TASPer @ UMich '19. The program was beyond what I had expected, but not necessarily in a bad way. Sure, there were many things I wish I had not done/approached differently and problems our community could’ve handled better, IMO. But you win some and you lose some. Ultimately, I walked away from the program knowing that I am more aware of the nuances of interpersonal interactions amidst conflicting values and won’t make some of the same mistakes twice. And yes, the people at TASP are truly unique and amazing. They have continued to inspire me even in ways I am just becoming aware of, months after the program has ended. I think about our beautiful interactions pretty much everyday and still cry when I read the zines we made. If anything, I would give anything to go back and spend such a full, free summer again and form deeper bonds with everyone.
Don’t be discouraged to apply! Not everyone will gain the same things from TASP and that’s ok. But rest assured that you will be challenged in many ways and you will be somehow changed for the better.
The seminars are out! The Cornell II program looks the most interesting to me.
Tasp application is out! I honestly really like all the seminars, except for the U of M one. That one sounds OK, but I’m not crazy enthusiastic about it.
How will it affect my chances if I put Michigan as my first choice and I live in Michigan?
I actually like the U of M one the most haha
obviously, I’m not an admin officer but I think that it wouldn’t have a huge effect on the application - I mean, it’s not like TASP needs representation from every university’s local community and tbh I think that they would prioritize why you want to go to the seminar rather than where you come from geographically (I could be wrong though)
Previous TASPer here. This year’s TASP seminars look so interesting! I would have signed up for Cornell II in a heartbeat.
My experience was indeed life-changing. It was not what I expected to say the very least. When I was applying to TASP, I read many comments boasting about the legendary experiences, the late-night conversations, the downright and carefree fun to be had. I went in with very high expectations, but I wish our community could have gotten much closer.
To those who do end up getting that shiny acceptance letter, don’t go in expecting pure utopia for 6 weeks. Times will be fun. Times will be difficult. Embrace them both.
How important is the applicant information section? Are the essays there meant to be well written or just informative?
@wontonandrice Everything you’re writing should be the best of your ability. However, it’s definitely the four main essays that matter the most, so I would recommend focusing most of your time on those!