TASP (?) vs. NJGSIS: Please Help! =(

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hey guys!</p>

<p>I just found out today I got into the New Jersey Governor's School for International Studies. What would normally be great news, isn't really. You see, when I applied to Governor's School, I really wanted to go, but after submitting my application, I got the thing for TASP (the Telluride Association Summer Program) in the mail, and fell in love with that. I decided to apply to both, since both were a long shot, especially TASP, and never thought I could possibly get in to both. </p>

<p>Well, I didn't get into both. Because I'd pick TASP, hands down, even though NJGSIS goes to Quebec for about a week, and seems like it would be a really amazing experience. I'm just more interested in TASP, so that's not an issue.</p>

<p>The deal is this: I am a finalist for TASP. I submitted my giant application, and I am one of 165 finalists (out of, uh, about 900?) who they have chosen to interview. Out of this 165, they will pick 80 for the 5 programs. My interview is this Wednesday and I find out if I made it at the beginning of May.</p>

<p>But I have to respond to Governor's School by the 20th of April.</p>

<p>So, after thinking about it, I thought I would just do the interview for TASP, and, based on that, decide whether or not I am going to accept the Governor's School acceptance on the 20th. If I accept Gov School (aka. lie) and then later tell them I can't attend in May, it might make it so a possibly waitlisted student couldn't go, and I couldn't do that. </p>

<p>That means two weeks from Wednesday I need to decide whether to "settle" for Governor's School (which is certainly nothing shabby to settle for) or to go for TASP. If I play my cards wrong, I'm afraid I'll be stuck with nothing for this summer, which would be terrible. But I don't think I could forgive myself giving up the opportunity to try to make it into TASP.</p>

<p>Thanks for your advice.</p>

2

<p>Would u regret it if u end up with nothing? because if you don't mind, I would say shoot for TASP, and try the one you like the most. The fact that you got into gov school already speaks about how qualified you are. If you're ambitious, go for the best you possibly can get.</p>

3

<p>I would deeply regret it if I ended up not being able to go to either. I am ambitious, but not confident enough in my abilities to comfortably blow off a great opportunity like Governor's School when there's still a 1 in 2 chance of me being rejected by TASP.</p>

4

<p>no matter what, accept the governor's school thing. trust me, they're used to last minute changes and they certainly won't be angry if you pull out a week or so after the deadline. they keep students on the waitlist until shortly before the program starts because things like this happen all the time. lots of taspers did this last year-- you NEED to have a backup.</p>

5

<p>Hm. So, you're suggesting I accept it, essentially promise to go, and then back out in the beginning of May? And you're sure about the waitlist thing?</p>

<p>I think I'd be alright with doing this as long as there will be someone to take my spot.</p>

6

<p>You could try emailing the NJ Gov school people about the waitlist thing. Just to check.</p>

7

<p>Hey Soppphh! =)</p>

<p>But wouldn't e-mailing them asking about whether if you pull out at the last second there will be a waitlisted person to take your place kind of tell them they are my second priority, and that I might very well turn them down.... and that might end up reflecting negatively on me, and resulting in them rescinding their offer? Or am I crazy?</p>

8

<p>yes--- definitely accept it. other summer programs are known for taking students off the waitlist well into may or june since so many things can happen (vacation plans change, finances, whatever). don't email them until you know about tasp-- your logic is definitely right. congrats & goodluck</p>