TASP vs other summer programs

Pre-College Issues Summer Programs
1

<p>Hi everyone, this is my first post ever on CC, so please bear with me as I figure out this forum. lol.</p>

<p>I'm just curious to see how those who have attended TASP/will be attending enjoyed their overall experience. I really want to apply for the program, but am not sure five weeks of my summer will be worth it. I am looking into other camps/programs like Interlochen & Tanglewood as I am an all-state french horn player and just wanted some advice on telluride. </p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>It’s quasi-mythological. It’s so prestigious and difficult to get in that lore says if you make it to TASP you’ll get in into any college… I wonder if that’s true. Maybe people that have attended can comment on their college applications and acceptances. And it is free.</p>

<p>Search here on CC because I remember seeing some threads about it.</p>

3

<p>Okay, I have read that admissions/the interview process for tasp is extremely rigorous. Thanks for your response!</p>

4

<p>I went to TASP at WashU. It was hands down the most influential, educational and informative experience of my life. The student you will meet are BRILLIANT. I felt intellectually inferior on many occasions but the program encourages very strong community-based ideals. I believe a student should choose TASP because they see it as an educational opportunity. The ability to put it on a college application is merely a plus. I am now a sophomore at the University of Michigan. The program prepared me to think beyond conventional methods. I have found this particularily helpful nowadays. I encourage you all to apply and to give back to TA. They provide you with several tools/mentors throughout your life.</p>

5

<p>My life sucks so much right now. Whatever you do don’t get drawn into it during the application process…I did, and then I was waitlisted, and then I was never taken off the friggin’ five person male waitlist.</p>

6

<p>Lantzk,</p>

<p>Seriously you got too emotional during the application process. Honestly a lot of people got too emotionally attached and got rejected and were all melodramatic about it (aka Furby?)</p>

<p>To the future TASPilcants,
The TASP application process was quite difficult, yet it’s 1000% worth the time and effort that you put into it. Apply to TASP, do not post or read CC and don’t expect to get in because it is super selective. If you go in not expecting to get in, you’ll me so much less disappointed. The percentages next year will probably be lower then this year’s percentages. So get ready.</p>

<p>P.S.
Keep backup summer programs in mind.</p>

7

<p>I’m at UT Austin TASP now, and I’d just like to say that staying slightly removed from the process IS possible, and I and most of my peers agree that it might be the key to having a successful application. Learn about TASP, be enthusiastic about it, have fun learning about yourself as you write your essays, but really be authentic and relaxed.</p>

<p>Oh, and this program is simply AMAZING. It’s only day two and I’m already so, so glad I applied. It’s too hard to explain right now, but it’s so worth it. Rising juniors, APPLY! :)</p>

<p>P.S. I’m also an all-state musician, and I don’t regret this decision by any means. If you’re going into music, Interlochen might be worth looking into, but if you’re not, then seriously apply. I can’t stress that enough.</p>

8

<p>Apply. Put your heart into your essays BEFORE you peer into CC’s fanaticism.</p>

<p>If you make it, congratulations. TASP is awesome–the community just clicks. If you are rejected–relax. TASP isn’t the beginning or the end of the world. I still have regrets for not attending my backup program, even as I adore TASP (also at UT Austin right now). Some people come in with unrealistic expectations, to both the application process AND the program itself; that’s unhealthy and self-destructive.</p>

9

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<p>I know, that’s why I advised against it. My emotionality, however, was most likely not the reason behind my inability to be accepted. More likely it was the rushed nature of my essays.</p>

<p>I apologize for being dramatic, TASP was just the one way I had out of my current situation. I know that TASP isn’t everything and that life will go on, but TASP was something that I tried really hard for, and failure after hard work is not something that I am used to. I am very happy for all of you that got in, I’m simply angry at myself…for a multitude of reasons.</p>

<p>I am a rational person, and I respect all of you who went through the TASP application process with me. I have to deal with my own self-criticism far more than I have to deal with the critiques that you have of my behavior.</p>

10

<p>Essay(s)? How many are we talking about?</p>

<p>@embeezy, thanks for telling me that you participate in music as well. I’m a little intimidated by how tough people have said the admissions process is for tasp. it’s comforting to know that well-rounded individuals are everywhere. (my school is about as dull as it gets haha)</p>

11

<p>Holy crap, this sounds hardcore.</p>

12

<p>Hey lantzk, I don’t blame you for being melodramatic. If you’d like to talk about it sometimes, I’d love to hear. I’m really sorry you didn’t get in. </p>

<p>Now, I hope for future TASP hopefuls, that you don’t simply take one person’s advice, but rather everyone’s and take from it what you will. </p>

<p>When I first heard about TASP, I knew deep down inside that this was for me. When I heard about UT Austin, I knew that it was for me. I just wrote my heart out on my essays, because I just felt it was right. Was it extremely dangerous and risky to engage in such a mindset? Yes! And at the time, it was pretty much the only thing keeping me going, the hopes that I, even just for six weeks, could attempt to escape a certain home situation that was dragging me further down into desperation. Even if TASP didn’t work out, I’m glad it carried me through my 11th grade year, because otherwise I would be in a far worse situation. </p>

<p>So what’s my general point here? If you truly love something, pursue it with all your heart and might, and make a plan on how to get there. Can you do so by writing all of your essays the night before and BS-ing your way in? For the most part, no (unless you’re amazing at that sort of thing). So definitely wait for the right moment, and once you feel that spark, write the hell out of it. And do that five times over. Sell yourself. Dazzle the TA; they’re looking to hear what makes you took. Write the hel out of your essays. And if you get to the interview stage? Defend your ideas well, and be open to new ones. It’s about as simple as that. It’s no magic-TASP-wand that holds the key to intellectual delights. Nothing in life is ever that easy.</p>

<p>So my entire point is, if you dream of something, then make it happen through planning. And as far as the essays at least, get as extremely into those as you can, because what makes you different than the next <insert various=“” adjectives=“” about=“” locales=“” and=“” whatnot=“” here=“”>. And if you do that, all you can do is wait and see if TASP can find a place for you. Passion is pretty hard to BS, so if you get it right the first time, there’ll be a land of magical golden trees and 100-degree weather coming your way in a few months!</insert></p>

<p>You know, unless you do one of the other seminars.</p>

13

<p>^ I should note that many TASPers were “saved” by the 2-day deadline extension this year, so procrastination does work too.</p>

14

<p>What do you submit along with essays for the first deadline (I’m guessing a transcript and PSAT scores)?</p>

<p>Do they take ECs into account (I’m guessing they are just a small part of the interview)?</p>

15

<p>Essays, essays, essays, essays, essays, essays, essays - all it matters.</p>

16

<p>I may have a shot then lol.</p>

17

<p>OP: The majority of TASPers are well-rounded students, if not all. Think about it–having multifaceted interests usually strengthens your ability to make connections between various endeavors, which Telluride encourages. Plus, being well rounded typically means you’re interested in learning and growing in all areas of life rather than just getting good grades and studying well for tests (another philosophy TA endorses).</p>

<p>In our TASP alone, there is a second place ISEF scientist, a guy who is starting his own internet business, a photographer, and several decently serious musicians (I’m not sure if any pursue it at a competitive level).</p>

<p>Also, wombatsoup and I are both PA UT Austin TASPers that would love to help you out. We Penn’s Woodsers have got to stick togezzah, ya? PM me if you have more questions! I’m more than willing to chat. :)</p>