<p>Hi, all.</p>
<p>I'm a high school graduate between the years of '09-'11, and I'm a current undergrad. I give the vast ambiguity because I really don't want to be identified here. This means I was in the program at least two years ago, thus perhaps what I'm about to describe is outdated.</p>
<p>I met someone recently who had attended my TASP and extreme excitement ensued on their end-- after all, it's the most exhilarating experience of every TASPer's life. I did some research on this year's (TASP 2012) programs out of curiosity, just to see how old Telluride was doing. I also saw some of the posts on CC while browsing and decided to make a post here because I feel that there needs to be a few alternative views other than "It's amazing! Surreal! You'll never want to go back!". I'm trying to mask myself, as I want no hurt feelings or tension between myself and anyone that might recognize me if I posted too many details. I will say I am a male attendee of one of the Cornell University or UT Austin seminars of the last few years, and only that. Take it or leave it, choose to believe me or not. </p>
<p>I am not in any way hating on the Telluride Association or TASP, but as a TASP alumni that has emerged from the program in the last three years, I'm expressing why I didn't particularly have the best time of my life. I just want to express that it's not for everyone as I notice people on this site being very worked up, and alum never give details about the inside life other than inside jokes and "amazing!" stories. It's been a little while since I've went, obviously, so I hopefully will be out of the loop in terms of my crowd. Anyway, some problems with my TASP experience that you may come across if you manage to squeeze in a spot:</p>
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<li><p>Factota (the people that take care of you)-- they are typically only three years older than TASPers, on an approximate basis. It's a good thing, and it's an awful thing. They can be significantly older in some cases, as I heard; sometimes they are a bit older. More than likely, however, you will receive a young, ambitious rising junior in college who has gone to TASP, like, yesterday. TA gives a preference to those who have completed their second year of college and older; they like to choose young people who can relate to the TASPers. My particular, fairly young factota (one male and one female, as always) expressed a very obvious insecurity complex regarding their age. Obviously, there was no yelling and screaming as far as I can remember. There was, however, a lot of miscommunication, scolding, a focus on punishment rather than assistance and positivity, pretentiousness, and the whole "You're in high school, so you're annoying," complex that we college jerks tend to adopt at times. They DO butt into your conversations, they WILL challenge you and use their college majors and authoritative voices to shut you down. They can't have too much fun with you. Factota are often still children themselves, therefore they do have flaws, tempers, insecurities, and it is difficult to establish themselves sufficiently over 16-32 children. Keep that in mind. They are not trained professionals, and they will NOT be perfect nor comforting in a lot of instances. Mine I found insufferable. </p></li>
<li><p>Freedom-- In my TASP, it wasn't nearly as glamorous as you imagine it is. You cannot leave without two other people by your side. If you're anything like me, which you may not be, you may not make two friends within a few weeks. Most people in general you cannot find often, are off by themselves, or have formed exclusive groups and cliques therefore have their own agendas. You can likely bugger two other people to go on the store with you or take the bus route, but it is fairly inconvenient and awkward for all of you if you are not a social butterfly. Curfew ranges between 9-11 depending on the day (reasonable) and it will often be punished against if everyone hasn't checked in. I personally do not complain about this factor, but there is no computer wi-fi and there is a no cell phone policy unless you are in your rooms or outside (I do not know if this will matter to some people). The semi-monasticism thing you've heard about also isn't so much of a weird "cult" issue, but an interactions issue. You cannot speak to anyone outside of TASP. If you have friends or family nearby UMich, Austin, or Cornell, forget the idea of visits or frequent phone calls. You are strongly discouraged from speaking to locals or anyone associated with the college unless somehow affiliated with TASP. If you're into going to meet professors and get to know a certain college campus for yourself (besides the arbitrary tour), in simple terms, forget it. Also, many events that are planned are mandatory including committee meetings may also eat up your time in ways that you may not like.</p></li>
<li><p>Kids/Slacking Off-- In my TASP, there were a few good apples. But, it honestly wasn't hard to stand out so long as you prepared for your public speaking session, did your kitchen shift, didn't cause drama, and did your work. Considering the interviewing process and application, that isn't a lot to ask for, is it? Yes, you can easily stand out at TASP. You may feel inferior at first, but soon everyone buckles down to their school-selves-- the jocks, the Debbie Downers, the gossipers. Most kids are highly normative and you truly aren't getting away from high school in many aspects. Everyone is well-read, but there has indeed been bullying instances, fraternity-like behavior, rowdiness, girlish drama, heated unnecessary arguments, romance issues, prejudice, and general rudeness. The physical diversity will be great, but the intellectual diversity of TASP needs work on the TAs part. While this is generally a democratic, liberal-ended program, most people do think the same. There will be one or two ridiculous radical conservatives to the point whereas "is gayness wrong?" and people of color become the source of needless argument. Kids are kids, these are no Superheroes. If you are a Superhero, you will be disappointed. My TASP was generally not well-reserved and most of the kids will annoy you to a major extent. They are not in any way supernerds-- in your TASP, they may be loud, rude, prejudiced, and extremely immature. Keep your expectations modest, TASPers are not above the world's population of 17-year-olds in mannerisms. Some are, but guess that 12 out of 16 kids aren't. They're nice and all polite and prestigious at first, but as they make themselves at home, simply keep your head up for changes. Kids don't really do their work, there are relationships and cliques, there are poor attitudes, and (once again) kids will be kids.</p></li>
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<p>Classism (something many CC'ers do not deal with, I'm guessing) is a major issue. Upper-middle class and comfortable middle class is the vast majority. Most kids may dress up often. They may say rude things about the less fortunate or become inconsiderate of the possible factor. Buying things often is a necessity for many, glamorizing (amongst females) can be an issue, etc. Most of these kids have been around the world-- if you are of lower class, prepare for a little of the "hoity-toity" stuff you might hate. Kids are spoiled at TASP.</p>
<p>Sex discrimination, homophobia, and gender identity discrimination come as typical as 17-year-olds are in being ignorant. If you are female, LGB, trans, or you identify alternatively, you will probably be offended at some point.. Gay jokes are made amongst some. People at TASP may think it's wrong to be gay and express it openly. 'Dates' amongst heterosexual set-ups will be made in attempts to acquaint you better with people you aren't perceived to know well. 'Cross-dressing' events happen; most of this may sound like a blast to you, but for some it isn't. I'm just pointing this out-- heteronormative white or black males probably have the social upper-hand in TASP. Jokes are made, people are offended, people say rude things; it happens there, yes. It is not a social utopia whatsoever.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Program Assistants and the Kitchen-- Likely the worst part of my experience. The PAs primarily work in the kitchen, which you work in as well. You do have kitchen duty once or twice a week, and it isn't as simple as clearing the table. I've worked a buser since I was a tyke, so it was no problem nor complaint source for me. Kitchen shifts do take one hour to two hours long apiece, it is time-consuming and extremely messy. Kitchen shifts are nothing to complain about, but the PAs are. The PAs are like your factota, only often with a bigger snarky attitude and antagonistic leading toward you. They live very close to you and will complain of noise and the slightest obstruction (such as a cup laying around). They will also butt into your conversations, are crude (mine swore like sailors), they are often belittling, and they can be very smug and complain about previous TASPs. They are the 'back in my day' figures of TASP, who tell stories about how mean their PAs were and about their kitchen shifts. They're not in charge of taking care of you; they are simply in charge of enforcing you to clean the kitchen, and triumphantly, vengefully so. They will yell at you and punish you if you do not know how to do something or if you are not immediately in the kitchen the moment after your meal. One of my PAs was infamous for purposely dirtying things or forcing you to clean extra dirty things if they happened to become aggravated with you. The BEST way to describe them in attitude, carrying themselves, and language: they are the high school seniors to your freshman year. The PAs and factota may or may not drive you up the wall at times and cause you to ask the following: "Where are the adults in this?" In terms of your daily life other than your professor, there are none. </p></li>
<li><p>Romance-- There is a no-romance policy, but the rumors and drama indeed exists. If you are looking to get away from drama amongst 32 17-year-old boys and girls, you will not escape it here. Everyone will have a crush, some people act on it, there is plenty of gossip to go around. There is flirting, talking, heartbreak, and all of the other BS you can think of. These kids will not be above it and are highly normative in this aspect, in my experience.</p></li>
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<p>Just a few concerns to consider for the typical introvert. It isn't perfect. Just some things to think about before you apply or become obsessed with the concept of TASP. If you're a normally smart kid with some cool quirks but you're still into friends, drama, procrastination, and crudeness like most kids, you'll be fine. More alternative mindsets and quiet storms beware; that's my only message. Any questions, and I'd be happy to answer. I'm sorry if I've offended you or if this is/was inaccurate for your particular TASP. I am just offering a potentially relate-able view for some. </p>
<p>Most kids at TASP mean well.</p>
<p>Most factota at TASP mean well.</p>
<p>Telluride Association means well.</p>
<p>Yet, my point here as a gritted-toothed alum, is that is isn't a perfect filter of angels and NOT for everyone.</p>
<p>I was appreciative of my TASP experience and do not hate the program at all. Just some tentative info.</p>