<p>Firstly, how selective exactly is the process? I've read it's just as, if not more, competitive than Ivy League, but how difficult really is it to get in? </p>
<p>Secondly, what are the essay prompts like? Are they general and broad, or specific and honed in like say for a college app essay that has you describe a situation in your life? Please provide me with some examples from previous TASP application materials if you can.</p>
<p>Do some research buddy.</p>
<p>I don’t know what the last two years have been like, but I think when my D2 applied three years ago the acceptance rate was around 5%. The essay prompts were fairly rigorous, too (several essays required). It took most of her winter break to complete the application, and in the end she did not get in (this is a kid who was later accepted to every college she applied to, including U of Chicago and Swarthmore, so not a slacker).</p>
<p>I think the question in her year were something like:</p>
<ul>
<li>One was to write a critical analysis of some kind. I think hers was about five pages long. They were pretty broad in what you could write on, I think.</li>
<li>Second was “Discuss a specific problem or topic in a field that interests you. You may address political, philosophical, social, literary, aesthetic,or other questions. Your essay should represent your own views and thoughts; it should not be a research paper.”</li>
<li>Third was “TASPs are small, educational communities that rely greatly on individual members maturity. Write an essay discussing a conflict you have faced and attempted to resolve that led you to new insights about yourself and/or other people.”</li>
<li>Fourth was “Describe your hopes and plans for your future education and career. What experiences motivated or influenced these hopes and plans? If you feel indecisive about your goals, explain the reasons for your indecision.”</li>
<li>Fifth was “Discuss the topics of the seminars, in the order of your preference for attending each, addressing the following: What attracts you to this seminar? What would you like to gain from this seminar topic? What concerns would you have if placed into this seminar? Please indicate if there is any seminar you would definitely not want to attend, and explain why. Please be succinct. We do not expect a formal essay. Your answers to this question will help us to place you in an appropriate seminar if you are selected.”</li>
</ul>
<p>Of course the questions may have changed somewhat. When she applied you had to write on all of them, not just choose among them.</p>
<p>Go ahead and apply to TASP – but just like when applying to college, apply to a couple of “match” and a “safety” program as well. TASP is a reach for everyone who applies.</p>
<p>What is tasp</p>
<p>@kydurron Tasp is a very selective summer program over the the summer of junior and senior year, for people intending to major in humanities.</p>