Where do you find that out?
The politics of race in Michigan actually
I got in! I actually was awake when the decisions went out (don’t ask me why) and it was so unexpected. I’m so happy. And for all of you who didn’t make it, there are so many things you can do during the summer that can make it just as enriching. @SunnyBee123 see you at Cornell! @Ghanaangel congratulations!
I got in! The politics reconceptualizing black geographies university of Michigan.
Hey everyone!!! Congrats to those who got in, and to those who didn’t, remember this is just one opportunity, and you’ll have many more to come.
I don’t know if you all are planning to make a gc or something, but if you have questions, feel free to send them my way! For those of you going to Cornell, I have some
tips for y’all that I’ll put together.
@lmo2021 Yay! See you at Cornell! Congrats to everyone who got in, and to those that didn’t, there’s always next year!
@phanakin and @lmo2021 Yes absolutely! I’d love to form the group chat, or at least begin one with other cornell-ees. The tip compilation also would be extremely helpful! Thank you so much
@Ghanaangel @JamalBlk I’m in that seminar too! I’d love to create a groupchat with you!
Can’t wait to see you there!
Yes, please create a group chat. I’m excited. My mom is getting travel arrangements together. I want her to drive (15 hours) versus flying. However, I haven’t convinced her lol
CONGRATS TO EVERYONE! I got in to Cornell Black Feminist Thought and I’d love to be added to the gc!
I’m planning on flying cuz it much more convenient and I’ve never been on a plane before
@sofbaron Ooh! Looking forward to meeting you- we have the same seminar! Though we can’t really form a “group chat” group chat, according to the TASS rules and guidelines (to prevent familiarity and social groups and that sort of things), we can all keep tabs on each other
@sunnybee123 lmao I had no idea! Its good that you know the rules tho
My bad, I totally forgot about that rule of Telluride’s! I’ll just post the tips here, then.
Okay, so for all my Cornell TASSers:
- Pack a lot of light, cool clothing. They’re going to warn you to bring quite a few “warm” clothes but honestly? You’ll need like one jacket max. Ithaca was extremely hot, and even when it rained, it was still that hot, sticky kind of rain. (Also, the Telluride house doesn’t have AC.)
- Bring a laundry bag/basket/whatever. The laundry room is on the bottom floor and your rooms are going to be on likely the top floor (although our year, the boys had the floor right below), and it’s really awkward and inconvenient to carry your laundry in your arms or use your suitcase.
- Shower caps shower caps whoooo
- So in some of the rooms, they’ll have fans, and in other rooms they won’t. You might want to bring one just in case, or if you’re one of the earlier ones to arrive, snatch one. Some nights the heat was literally unbearable, and my roommates and I got heat rashes.
- Going off the above, bring light blankets because you’re not going to need anything heavy.
- Likely you won’t need any hangers, either. Our closet was full of them, and even if yours aren’t, I guarantee you there’ll be someone with extra hangers who’s willing to share.
- Bring like a pair of flip flops or slippers or sandals or something, just basically shoes you can wear indoors. I made the mistake of not having casual in-house shoes, and so it was either walk around barefoot or wear my sneakers, which aren’t the most comfortable shoes to always be wearing.
- This isn’t a tip about what to bring (and you can go to the Target at Ithaca Mall for anything you didn’t bring but think you need, like I ended up buying one of those shower mats because our bathroom needed one), but! Londell and Kalima are the cooks there and they are literally the nicest people. Treat 'em right or I’ll come and find you.
Do you guys plan on flying there alone or with your parents? Do you know if most people come with their parents on the first day?
@lmo2021 Well I actually come from NYC which is a couple hours from Ithaca by bus, and I’m going with my dad. But I think you could come alone too. Pretty sure it’s your choice 
I’m going alone yikes
@phanakin Thank you so much for the tips! I screenshotted and bookmarked them, as I truly appreciate it.
I do have a few question though, if you don’t mind; How does the first day look? How do we get to the dorms and can we choose where and who we are rooming with? Also, the rules mentioned that no one is allowed to drive to the program from their rooms and vise versa. How are we supposed to get there and back? How expensive is the neighborhood? Can we explore as we wish? What are the internet policies (on a realistic POV)? What are cell phone policies? What are the rooms like?
I’m really sorry for BOMBARDING you with these questions! I’m just so excited and nervous. Again, thank you so much already for your help and advice!
Also, @sofbaron In a way, its more of an adventure ;)! Plus, you have one more experience to add to your shelves and it’ll be cool, cause I’m pretty sure everyone will become friends. We’re just as lost to be honest sheepish grin
No fear about going alone, everyone!! A lot of TASSers my year went alone. I did also, on a flight with like three layovers which was not fun in the slightest. (Let’s hope you aren’t left stranded at an airport for a day or two, which is unfortunately what happened to three TASSers.)
- The first day is mostly acclimating and moving in (and the trip there, of course!). I was the earliest one who got there (along with someone else who was on my flight and who later became one of my best friends there), so I spent most of the day just unpacking my stuff and getting used to the room. People trickle in a couple at a time, and it’s going to be a little intimidating at first—I can be painfully introverted, but I promise you that you’ll feel like a family in no time. You guys eat dinner together (it was pizza last summer), and the first week is classes, tours (have fun lol, Cornell’s campus is very hilly), getting your IDs, etc.
- I went by plane, and so from there, Telluride picks you up in a shuttle and drives you straight to the Telluride House, where you’ll be staying. You do not get to choose which room is yours and who your roommate is; they have that pre-determined for you. Also, halfway through the program you’ll be switching rooms and roommates, so heads-up on that! It definitely got a lot of us by suprise.
- I’m not sure what you mean? Like no one is allowed to drive to the program from where they live (if that’s what you mean by room), or? Because that is definitely true, transportation (if you choose to drive) has to be provided by a parent so they can take the car back; there aren’t any parking lots for TASSers to keep their cars in. I myself went by plane, as did many others, but there are a few who lived close enough that their parents could drive them.
- The neighborhood isn’t expensive, but, because it is college, the prices (for eating out, or clothes, or something) are definitely more than what they’d be normally. CollegeTown (which is a really short walk from the House) is the most popular destination for food items, but no doubt prices are a dollar or two higher than what the food would be normally. And, of course, college merch is ridiculously overpriced.
- As long as you stay within the campus, it’s free time, and you’re not leaving the Telluride House alone, you’re free to explore to your heart’s content!
- Internet policies are very lax. I wouldn’t recommend doing anything ~scandalous~ obviously, but it suited my needs really well. I also didn’t end up using it a lot, since we were often busy with other things. Cell phone policies as well. Don’t go on your phone during class, but otherwise, do whatever you want with it.
- The rooms are definitely comfortable and I really loved them! They’re uh really hot (as I established before) and you can tell that the building’s old, but they’re well-cared for. Each room has two beds, two desks, and like one or two drawers and a closet. They’re organized into suites, with two of these dorms connected by a shared bathroom. You have a curfew where you’re required to be in your rooms by, but our suite would sneak into a dorm and play Uno and eat cereal.
Hope this answers your questions!! You’ll have an amazing time at TASS.