<p>Hypothetically speaking would it be better to:</p>
<li>Do TASP or</li>
<li>Do economics research at a prestigious university(3-4 weeks) and 1 or 2 internships (2ish weeks each) at high profile venture capital firms and investment banks</li>
</ol>
<p>For the summer before senior year in order to get into top colleges (HPYSish)? </p>
<p>Economics is my main interest btw, and I would do other economics stuff in school in addition to the research program.</p>
<p>Is there any way internships and research would be better than TASP, or does TASP always win?</p>
<p>Look,
TASP's programs this year aren't going to get you into the college of your dreams if you want to be an economics major. The best colleges are looking for bright young individuals who excell in whatever field they desire to pursue. If that is economics for you, TASP isn't going to get you anywhere. Pursue as many things this summer pertaining to economics as you can, but unfortunately, TASP isn't geared to social scientists like yourself.The prestigious university and the other (2) is most likely the better choice for you because it has a lower opportunity cost. Perhaps you will be able to get a recommendation, and maybe you will be able to show the college of your dreams your dedication to studying economics rigorously. If you go the route of TASP, you will forgo these possibilities (and show the best colleges that your passion, i.e. economics, isn't really that important to you).</p>
<p>Nonsense. One does not have to have one interest. Everything I do is not pertaining to chemistry, but that is what I want to major in. TASP is a highly rewarding and intellectually stimulating experience and could be a factor in ivy league admissions. Then again, it sounds like you really want to pursue economics this summer so I would recommend doing what you want to do.</p>
<p>It is certainly correct that one does not need only one interest, but the admissions directors at the best universities in the nation are interested in youth who have shown a great desire in one area.
My son, for example, was for the great bulk of his youth, a history feind. He showed an aptitude for history, and took AP world history in 9th grade, and AP US in 10th. We decided to allow him to attend college courses for history starting in 11th grade, and he continued at this institution of liberal arts studying history through 12th grade. He attended TASP several years ago on a history based topic and it was one of the best experiences that he ever had. He applied to a prestigious university (where I happen to know the admissions director) and he was accepted. Although he was a well rounded child, my friend told me that the reason that my son had been accepted was due to his interest in history, not his other two extracurricular activities soccer and clarinet, which he was quite dedicated to.
My daughter was quite different. She excelled in many areas; she was good, but not great, in any of them. She generally fared well, but was never a standout. She went to a TASP several years ago on a topic she was quite unfamiliar with, but enjoyed it quite a bit. When it came time to send her to college, she failed to make it into any of her choices. Although she was a very diversified person (who else can compete well at the science bowl and varsity lacrosse?) it was clear that she failed to make it into any of her choices because she never did anything extraordinarily.
That being said, one should always make his own decision regarding TASP. If my daughter had pursued an area that she was good in, and had showed a passion for it, perhaps she would have made it into better colleges than she did.</p>