I haven’t seen any threads on this coming year’s TASS program, and the application should be available very soon (I think). Anyway, who’s applying? Does anyone have any information on acceptance rates, application topics, or experiences? I’m a little, well, very scared of the application, and it would be incredibly helpful to hear advice from alumni or anyone else who’s willing to give it.
I agree. I’ve heard great things about the program and would be ecstatic to take part but the application process makes me a bit nervous
@DJ01 If I were you, I would still apply! The application did come out, and if you register you can see the essay prompts. Of course, the essays are lengthy and will each take a lot of effort, but imagine being able to spend six weeks at Cornell or the University of Michigan. I think it’s worth the effort.
I just read the essay prompts and although challenging, I’m going to take a crack at it. Are you also planning to apply?
Yep. I started the 2nd essay prompt very recently and I’m really excited about it. The Cornell I seminar looks absolutely amazing. Which seminar do you want to attend? @DJ01
I’m actually really into the Michigan I and the Cornell I quite equally, though I’m leaning a bit more toward Michigan I. I’ve started drafting ideas for my essay but haven’t had lots of time to begin writing. Hopefully I’ll start this week.
What are you listing as part of your favorite media? I feel as if most of the books and music I like would sound juvenile in their ears. @prospecti
hey y’all, I did tass last year (2016) if you have any questions or want any advice feel free to ask
TASS is so worth it! You’ll meet amazing people like @notoriousrbg who make you realize how much you already know and how little you don’t. TASS challenged me to branch out of my comfort zone and I learned how to handle myself in a college-like academic setting.
lmao @hamlon is right the experience is transformative
I’m starting to write my essays and I’m kind of confused on where to start. Does it have to be a formal essay with an attention grabber and thesis? Or is it more informal? @hamlon @notoriousrbg
@DJ01 It’s whatever you need it to be. I don’t know about yall’s prompts this year, but ours related to personal experiences/beliefs/reasons for applying. My essays were unlike anything I was typically allowed to write in school and that’s what made them so personal to me. I knew what I wanted to say and made it happen.
@DJ01 The essays shouldn’t be a formal essay like a school assignment. They are very personal so show the extent of your rhetoric and understand you are addressing college professors. Have structure in your essay, but also remember that it is supposed to be about your personal beliefs. If you’ve ever read the abstract of a scholarly article, it’s kind of similar to that in tone and structure…
Hey guys, I’ve been busy meticulously crafting my essays, almost to the point where it’s become a kind of obsession. I think in doing this I’m losing some of my personality; I’m trying to mold myself into what I believe that they want, not what I actually am. Also, I was nominated for another great, albeit less prestigious, summer program that’s sponsored by my state… and it would be so much easier just to give up on TASS and focus on that one…
But after hearing what @notoriousrbg and @Hamlon said, I’m convinced that I really do want to put the time in for TASS. Thanks for that.
P.S. @Hamlon: I love your pfp!! Abra is so perfect
@prospecti You’re welcome and I’ve been obesessed with Abra for months now. Can’t get enough. :x
Don’t take your personality out of your essays. With so many diverse applicants, it doesn’t help to try to fit into a non-existent mold. They form TASSes so that each seminar has topics that can be discussed from multiple perspectives. TASS would have been so boring if we all agreed with each other. You know what you care about the most. Use your essays to show anyone just that.
Hi, everyone! Good luck on your applications. I was looking at the threads of previous years, and everyone was talking about the short answer boxes being too restricted on character count. I actually have the opposite problem- I always have a few hundred characters left over. Does anyone else have that problem or is it just me?
Another question @Hamlon and @notoriousrbg , were you guys close to 1500 word limit on the long essays? Because I get to about the halfway mark and I can’t think of what else to write. I’m only on my first draft, though.
It’s getting close to deadline and I’m really excited/ nervous! I had one question, are anyone else’s essays a significant amount under the 1500 word max? Mine are consistently around 1000, will this be an issue?
@Starstone142 @assemblingphilosophies Y’all need to chill with this word count situation. I barely scratched the word limit on my app last year–I think I only went to 500-something? If you have more to say, say it. If not, keep it concise but present your arguments convincingly. They care more about your character and uniqueness you bring to the table rather than how “wordy” you can write.
Thanks! 
@notoriousrbg