<p>So I'll be the one to kick off a whole new year of TASP anticipation and anxiety.</p>
<p>Four programs next year, 2 at Cornell and 2 at Michigan. What do you think about the change? One more program = 20 more TASPers = 2% increase of admission rate. Yay!</p>
<p>wooh! 2% increase?? AWESOME…
seriously though. I just don’t think I’m going to get in.
I had this confidence …and then I went on their website.
and I was convinced that to get in TASP, one has to be a genius.</p>
<p>But you also want to factor in the increased number of applications that TASP receives year over year. And, if the seminars are 16 each, then that’s 14 additional TASPers accepted.</p>
<p>To potential applicants, including sister277: I’m a TASPer, albeit a specimen found in the dregs of the warm, bubbly cozy teacup that is TASP. Id est, Im a very undeserving TASPer. My fellow TASPers were 30 brilliant, beautiful, musical souls. I still wonder how TA manages to conjure up these people that are too good to be true, and are still human after all.</p>
<p>Imagine you were journeying blindly down a road during that time of night that is as dark as the tiny magic area of absolute blackness that can only be found at the center of a flame, and you were encased in that darkness, sitting in the center of that flame, in that little black area of nothingness.</p>
<p>And you saw, on that road, a diamond so brilliant that the reflection of pure, glorious light that seemed to emanate from just one of its facets shined brighter than a thousand splendid suns. What would you think? I would think I was blessed. I would think it was serendipity. I might not even believe One diamond.</p>
<p>What happens when there are thirty? What is TASP? What are the words you use to describe something that is written on your soul? Words fail me, because Im a mediocre specimen of humanity. But is it worth it, traveling down that dark road, in hopes that against all odds, you too will find jewels that will shine on your heart and the very essence of your being with colors that sing?</p>
<p>I think so.</p>
<p>There’s always a chance that your readers will find something in you that you dont see, or see something that doesnt exist, like they did for me, and you, too will get a passport to a place, a place that in retrospect seems so surreal. </p>
<p>I strongly urge you to apply. If you have any questions during the process, drop me a message so that I get an email, since I might forget to visit. Despite my many other shortcomings, I think I can provide some interesting insight into the process.</p>
<p>…what?.</p>
<p>I did TASP two years ago. It was an amazing experience and I still keep in touch with some people from my program and even managed to see a few last year. At the same time, it’s just a summer program. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t get in. Two years down the road, it’s kind of weird if you’re still defining things relative to TASP.</p>
<p>But yeah, apply. There’s nothing to lose and it’s a once in a lifetime experience.</p>
<p>and fzaman, judging by your username and location (assoc directory creepin) I’m guessing you’re Bengali?</p>
<p>edit: OH, you did TASP this year. That explains it.</p>
<p>Yeah, the high still hasn’t worn off completely. I kind of hope (futilely) that it won’t. But there’s not much in this summer program/college admissions process that is really the end of the world. I feel obligated to give some sort of inspirational pep talk to convince those who are sitting on the fence to apply, since I was in that position a number of months ago. Empty rhetoric is fun.</p>
<p>And that’s a pretty good inference, although I’m kind of failing to see how it’s relevant? Must be the mediocrity. It’s flattering to have a shameless stalker, though. I’ll return the favor sometime.</p>
<p>It’s not relevant, but I’m Bengali too.</p>
<p>this isnt relevant either…
i know who you are fzaman!</p>
<p>I love TASP!
But it’s wayyyyy too early to freak out about your TASPlications, younguns. Go chill out, relax, max all cool, or shoot some b-ball outside of the school.</p>
<p>So, I think I’m planning on applying :)</p>
<p>I know it’s all too early to freak out about a summer program but…TASP really gets me, couldn’t help.
And it’s also good to know there are other potential appliers now. :)</p>
<p>Totally agree with epigramimpelled. </p>
<p>And about the getting to know other potential applicants thing… not so much. Telluride’s strong discouragement of pre-TASP communication is for good reason. Chances are a few of the people who will end up posting in here will get in. </p>
<p>Follow the rules, kiddies. You’ll be thankful for it later, trust me.</p>
<p>(To some extent it’s the former TASPers’ quick response to the thread that made the whole thing so fascinating.)
I don’t know about others, but I’ll definitely abide by the communication rules. Posts of others simply reassure me that I won’t be alone. And yeah, maybe we should better put it off for some time.</p>
<p>Hi everyone! I’m definitely going to apply to TASP this year. I have heard some many incredible things about the program and hope I am lucky enough to be one of the ones who is able to attend. Good luck to all :)</p>
<p>I want to do TASP '12, but there’s no threads on wannabe TASPers of 2012.
It sounds like an incredible experience!
And I’m trying to not obsess about it until next year.</p>
<p>i’ll be applying! =)</p>
<p>I’ll be applying too!</p>
<p>…and then getting rejected xD. But I can hope!</p>
<p>whatt t he heck, why not</p>
<p>Was anyone on this board admitted to the TASP program without the invitation to apply from the PSAT score?</p>
<p>In short, yes. (I’m proof.) PSAT score is only one of the ways in which Telluride notifies potentially-awesome candidates about the program. Test scores aren’t considered in the actual TASPlication. </p>
<p>To anticipate further questions, extracurricular activities and various awards are only a small part of the application. To emphasize how small and insignificant they are: if your TASPlication is a cupcake, your activities are like one or two individual sprinkles. Telluride only reviews transcripts (and one teacher recommendation) of students who make the interview round. It’s important to emphasize that this is all speculative. While we can’t know exactly how important each component of the application is, it’s widely agreed upon that the essays are the single most important part of the application, and that the importance of the essays CANNOT BE EMPHASIZED ENOUGH. </p>
<p>Another thing that CANNOT BE EMPHASIZED ENOUGH–it is October! You have so many better things to worry about! Freak out in December–or gasp!–January.</p>
<p>I’ll be applying!
Now I get a little red star that helps me find this thread more easily :3</p>