TASP or Community?

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>So, I have a huge dilemna. Next summer is my junior year summer, the biggest and brightest summer with the most opportunities yet. This is the summer where I can really show those admins that I'm hot stuff, not to mention the summer where I'll be 17 and can do almost anything I want (excluding drinking legally and voting). </p>

<p>I love writing, and debating, and literature, and I'd LOVE to attend a TASP. But I may not get in (low acceptance rate), and I wouldn't know if I had until April (I think), which would be way too late to do any other programs. Plus, a whole 6 weeks of my summer would be gone, meaning I couldn't get a job. But, minor complaints aside, it's TASP!!!!!!!</p>

<p>Now, the other program. I got (personally) invited to apply to a local year long program for juniors only. It's from January to December, but there is a mandatory 3-week long summer trip that would interfere with any possible TASPing. However, the program seems really interesting (it's a forum that is supposed to introduce mutual understanding between the african-american and jewish population of the DC metro area), not to mention I'd make lots of new friends in my area and get to eat tasty jewish treats every holiday :). I'd also be able to get a job over the summer, and maybe even take classes at a local university. This program is free as well, and I'd get to take multiple retreats during the year as well as the summer trip, during which I'd get to travel all over the eastern part of the country. Plus, this would look pretty darn stellar on a college app as well, and I've heard from a former participant that the contacts you get are amazing.</p>

<p>The application for the 2nd program is due Nov. 15, while the TASP app won't even be availiable until December. Not to be cocky, but I'm pretty sure I'll get in, and if I do, I wouldn't be able to turn it down in lieu of TASP because it starts in January.</p>

<p>What is a poor girl to do?????</p>

2

<p>JMHO, but I'd go for door #2. Here are the reasons: 1) While TASP is a wonderful program, it is basically a high powered 'enrichment' program. The DC program serves as enrichment, but also gives you the chance to make a difference and improve the relationship between the AA and Jewish populations in DC. If I were an admissions rep, that would stand out to me, even compared to TASP. 2) The DC program shows dedication over a year, rather than 6 weeks during summer. 3) Likelyhood of getting into TASP is in the single digits, while the DC program would be in your pocket.</p>

<p>Full disclosure: my D applied to TASP two years ago, she made it to the interview stage but not selected for the program. It was a major dissapointment to her, but she ended up attending another summer program which she enjoyed and the lack of TASP was not a problem when it came to college admissions.</p>

3

<p>I also vote for door #2. My son will also not be applying to TASP, as great as it sounds, because of other opportunities that are better for him personally and will look just as good to colleges.</p>

<p>To me, it is a "no-brainer" -- the year long program sounds fantastic!</p>

4

<p>You know what you want to do, you want us to help validate your decision. So, I hereby validate your decision to pass on TASP and do the other program.</p>

5

<p>Yeah, ken, you were right, I did know what to do. It's just that I've heard so much about how great TASP looks and blah blah blah, but I'm sure this other program will be worth much more to me personally. I'm working on the app right now (I pretty much knew what to do after I finished posting). Hopefully I'll be able to get 2 teacher recs in a week and half (yikes!). Thanks so much for your help!</p>