<p>Foreverfree: Very Interesting! This summer at TASS AA was definitely the biggest topic for debate, aside from homosexuality. I definitely align myself with you, I am not a big fan of AA and I touched on it in one of my essays last year. I definitely encourage you to engage in a argument or debate with someone from the other side. There are a lot of good points on both sides and I definitely learned a lot from hearing those arguments. Also allows you to formulate an even clearer stance on the topic</p>
<p>Gods_Favorite: you go to Andover. That pretty chill, I wanted to go but my parents didnt want to send me away (ironic enough they met there). Anyways, if you are a liberal dont try to be a conservative and visa versa. There is no set political quo for TA, and to say one is better than the other or the 'right track' isn't true. Last year we had a pretty broad spectrum </p>
<p>hamsi2004: There is no right way to write your rankings essay. I know some people who Listed </p>
<ol>
<li>Caribbean Dialogs [.com] -blahblahblah</li>
<li>Global South -blahblahblah</li>
</ol>
<p>Personally I wrote more in paragraph form. Providing an intro then in the middle a sentence along the lines of "I rank Caribbean Dialogs as my first choice" then talk a little bit more about the seminar specifically. </p>
<p>Really it is up to you. </p>
<p>Also dont hesitate to make "conclusions" about the seminars. They provide pretty complex descriptions of the programs and saying that you "see" the program as a great look into the political ramifications of the flying spaghetti monster on evolutional theories of the 1800's. While it might not say that in the description, you wont be hurt by interpreting the seminars personally and using that as reasoning for your rankings. </p>
<p>On font size, Times 12 with 1" margins will never hurt you. Last year I adjusted some margin sizes so the essays wouldn't bleed on to a 3rd or 4th page by a few lines. I also used Verdana, eeeks!</p>
<p>I rocked the small margins and 11.5 font last year :-)</p>
<p>Just make sure it legible (duh). And while you should be able to fit everything in the suggested page limit, I would personally go for a little bit over and a reasonable font size than just under and sending in a magnifying glass.</p>
<p>I am phone banking right now and we are getting no 3s 2s or 1s. But there are some funny answering machines!</p>
<p>hey guys...yeah so I think I'm dropping out before I drop in. lol.</p>
<p>I have utter and complete writer's block. It's like a total solar eclipse. Everything I've written the past month for TASP has been HORRIBLE. And I'm afraid to ask for the teacher rec, and I'm afraid to get rejected, and...so much more. I just don't want to apply anymore. It kinda sucks.</p>
<p>anyway, I know you'll all get in and it'll be amazing! you guys are GREAT.</p>
<p>you guys aren't submitting online? is that why you are discussing.. margins? I have them typed just using 1" margins on all sides and 12 times new roman, but I was going to submit them online anyway. if I've already sent in my transcript through guidance, can i still submit the paper application instead, then?</p>
<p>Last year pages of discussion ensued over the best method to apply.</p>
<p>Many people wanted to apply online because they didnt have an official app, others were scared because there is no italics or bold for the online app. And everything in between.
**
And the truth is..... it doesnt matter. **I know there will be plenty more discussion about this, but no need to fret over this. Just keep working on your essays and when its time to apply, you can copy and paste or print them out.</p>
<p>Papercrane, wow your precocious, lol. But don't worry about the transcript, I would advise before you mail it in to call TA to see if they received it. And or just send a note that you sent the transcript in under other cover.</p>
<p>I think we both agree it's best to be true to your nature...however, given the information I read on this thread--it could be wrong!--I figured that being (truly) conservative could tilt thing in your favor, because of the historically disproportionate liberal population of TASP . This sentiment comes from a post I read some pages back that said something along the lines of "if you're not completely quirky try conservative" for admissions. In that sense, Mr. AA would be on the "right track" to appearing conservative...whether or not this helps admissions is not something I claim authority on--I'm just speculating like everyone else!</p>
<p>Gods_Fav: I definitely understand what you are saying, and the truth is it is all speculation. While we like to think we may be demystifying the process that is tasplications we are merely scratching the surface. </p>
<p>Furthermore it would be foolish to say anyone on here does not have a wealth of dimensions to his or her personality and character, and it is only natural in given situations to express some more than others. Also politically, religiously and morally very few can be isolated to one specific "alignment" and while there may be liberals and conservatives there are a whole lot of moderates (and those who dont give at all either) and such a stance is obviously comprised of some liberal and conservative beliefs. And to express one more than the other is not acting against oneself. </p>
<p>Looking at it this way perhaps the "Be yourself" we always use on here should be best rephrased as "be true to yourself". No one is infallible, both we and TA knows this. In some ways life is a giant beauty pageant, while some express more candor than others, what would life be with out being the best you can be and expressing that. while I truly believe this whole tasplication process is unique and a wonderful, it would be foolish to say that such characteristics don't exist. As long as you approach it with a positive mentality and intentions, you are doing the best you can do, right? We all know the acceptance rate, but nothing is gained by worrying about this. That number is probably one of the few tangible aspects of the whole application process and if you step back and see how much you gain from the intangible aspects (the essays, the interviews, the open ended prompts) wether your a 08 TASPer or an interview candidate or dont even make it through the first round, we should all be proud of ourselves.</p>
<p>With that, good luck! I am off to buy bedding. :-P</p>
<p>Finally decided to get a CC account after lurking for a couple weeks or so on these boards, and, uh, just decided to apply for TASP today.</p>
<p>Um, [of course I have a question, haha] I was wondering if doing a critnal on The Red Wheelbarrow would be shooting myself in the foot, considering the ambiguity of the actual poem. What do you guys think? >.></p>
<p>No fee, blue sky. But I think you have to be nominated by a teacher or get a letter because of your PSAT. That's how i got mine, i don't think anybody in my town has even heard of TASP</p>
<p>Anybody in the world can download the application from the TA website, or apply online. As far as I know, once applications are in, TA makes no distinction between those that were mailed out based on test scores or teacher nom., and those that were self-initiated.</p>
<p>I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to.
On the application page it says they want geographic diversity, so they should be fine with a few international applicants... To be sure though, I'd give them a call/email.</p>