<p>I completely disagree with comparing programs based on cost or selectivity. It's like saying that going to Cooper Union would be more beneficial than going to NYU because it has a lower admissions rate and tuition is waved (your two main criteria). But what if you were more interested in the arts? Wouldn't Tisch be a better choice even if you had to pay 40 grand?</p>
<p>I guess you disclaimed yourself, hdm, from such a strong stance by saying "to an extent" and "generally". But then why would pianoking be "absolutely correct"? If there are exceptions, they're worth acknowledging. And these exceptions will vary from person to person.</p>
<p>Frankly, theoneo, cooper union is superior to nyu in every field it has -which of course falls far short of nyu's extensive and impressive offerings. Cooper Union is not only selective, but the fact that it's free means they must be extra-cautious about whom they admit. They can't afford to waste money on someone who won't achieve.<br>
This, of course, does not say that anything you have to pay for is worth nothing, look at Harvard! However, as far as summer programs go, we're refering to selectivity being more impressibe. Paying for a selective program is as impressive as not paying for one.
I just want to point out that Harvard Summer School is not Harvard University. Not even close.</p>
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Speaking of free, summer programs that cost $6000 ( <em>cough</em> Harvard Summer School) are nothing more than something for the school to do when the dorms are open over the summer... Imagine how pompous it looks to be so rich and -as far as they are concerned- untalented that you can drop 6 grand for some summer program.
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<p>
[quote]
This, of course, does not say that anything you have to pay for is worth nothing
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<p>It would've helped if the qualifier was in the same post as the original post. ;)</p>
<p>I wasn't saying that NYU is superior to Cooper Union in all respects; again, if you're an engineering major, you'd probably benefit more (academically speaking) from CU; if you're an arts major, you'd probably benefit more from NYU. In essence, we're pretty much in accord with what we're saying, but your original post came off pretty strongly in favor of TASP being THE #1 program for EVERYBODY and that everything else is useless. I perceived it as being not only pro-TASP - which is more than appropriate for this thread - but also anti-everything-else - which is, as I said, patronizing.</p>
<p>Side note: hey_la asked for *rigorous<a href="not%20necessarily%20%5Bi%5Dprestigious%5B/i%5D">/i</a> humanities programs. If all s/he cares about is the experience, we really shouldn't assume s/he meant to imply that s/he is looking for a program that will look good on a college app.</p>
<p>Ok, enough of this battle. Agreement: TASP is awesome, but not the only way to spend your summer.</p>
<p>Are there any other good programs (it would be nice if they were free) that start after July 6th sometime? I am very disappointed that my trip to France will cut me off from even being able to apply to TASP by 11 days :(. I'm still interested in doing a summer program but it is very difficult for me to distinguish the poser/fluff ones (that usually happen to be expensive) from the good ones. I'm guessing I'm not the only one with this problem.</p>
<p>I don't think there's much to say until the 2006 seminar topics come out, the application goes online, and the next batch of future TASPers starts stressing out over their apps.</p>
<p>We've basically done our bit promoting TASP... but of course feel free to still ask away :D.</p>
<p>Lol, I actually just found out what "bump" does, quite clever.... moves it up in the queue. Anyway, I guess so. The future of TASP will probably be prowling this site looking for answers, and we'll be here to misdirect them.</p>
<p>Haha yeah I thought I was a genius when I figured out (yeah, figured out. No spoon-feeding here! All my blood, sweat, and tears...) what "bump" meant. Then I realized everyone else had been using it before me anyway...</p>
<p>Ah, right now I just have to worry about Gov School apps for the next three weeks. I'm kinda excited for my TASP interview (everyone gets one, right?). Everyone talks about how fun interviews can be.</p>
<p>theoneo, you are not guaranteed an interview. Former alumni can correct if I am wrong, but I believe that they evaluate your application and essays first before inviting you to an interview. Approximately 1/2 of the people who recieve an interview then go on to get selected for any one of six TASP 2006 seminars that occur in the summer.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, he is right: interviews are given only to about 160ish finalists, which are selected on the basis of the original application. A review of the final application (including interview) determines acceptance into TASP</p>
<p>Yeah, lol, I didn't send my essays until... uh, January? And you won't get an interview until March. And it is only 160 out of the 900ish who are interviewed.<br>
I know gov school apps are first, I remember that from last year (didn't get in though, lol). Concentrate on one thing at a time, and don't neglect your grades. Junior year is tough.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, though, junior year is a lot easier than sophomore year. Maybe it's because I actually love all my teachers and all my classes. The material is interesting and the teachers actually do their jobs right. I'm loving this.</p>
<p>Freshman year, of course, was insanely easy due to not-so-good teachers (mediocre in both teaching and evaluating, so the classes were less interesting and easier). My sophomore year teachers failed to inspire me at all, so I found it harder to do well and to be enthusiastic.</p>
<p>By the way, what's with New Jersey's Governor's School being after junior year? I thought that was supposed to be a post-sophomore year deal for most states. Are they just arrogant and want to hook in prospective TASPers and rickoids?</p>
<p>Well I know Governor's Schools in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Pennslyvania are all for rising seniors. I think Georgia and Virginia are for both rising juniors and rising seniors.</p>
<p>It's more common to offer programs for rising seniors because students are most likely to want to go so that they can put it on their college applications and they're the most mature and all.</p>