<p>Sorry man, I shouldn’t have asked. I didn’t realize other people would pester you for it as well. :(</p>
<p>TASP sounds like an amazing experience. How do people manage to write the essays beforehand? Could you guys tell us what kind of questions they give, and whether or not you choose between questions or are there just enough for you to answer?.. And I assume one is analyzing a book of your choice? Thanks for any help sent this way to TASP-hopefuls :)</p>
<p>Some people write their essays the weekend they’re due; others write them weeks beforehand. Personally, I wrote mine like two weeks in advance, so I could look them over a couple times to make sure I was happy with them.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly, there were 6 essays, though one was just a list of books you’ve read recently. You’re required to answer all of them, though most of them give you a lot of freedom. There was a critical analysis essay (which is what I think you’re referring to), but it didn’t necessarily have to be about a book; an essay about a conflict you’ve faced; an essay about your future plans; an essay about an issue that troubles you; and an essay about your preferences for which seminar you’d like to attend. These were the questions from my year, so they may change - but as far as I know, they don’t change much from year to year.</p>
<p>Ok thanks. Lot of essays… What happens if you’re not sure which seminar you like most? I assume you have to only choose one to apply to?</p>
<p>Also since grades and such aren’t looked at are ECs looked at? Volunteering, your interests, etc cause I think they would since they look at your personality right?</p>
<p>I really want to apply for TASP but I have no idea what the applications look like aside from the fact that the application requires you to write 6 essays.</p>
<p>Can anybody tell me what kind of essays they are? or any essay prompts that were given in the past?</p>
<p>and do I HAVE to take the PSAT to even consider applying? and we HAVE to send in our GPA? </p>
<p>Sorry if i seem so uninformed… the truth is… I am uninformed. </p>
<p>Anyways, please clue me in</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>I searched up TASP application on Google and this is what came up:
<a href=“http://www.tellurideassociation.org/brochures/TASPAP11.pdf[/url]”>http://www.tellurideassociation.org/brochures/TASPAP11.pdf</a></p>
<p>Hi ejee95, your questions were answered earlier in this thread - just scroll up.</p>
<p>Yes, you’re required to submit your GPA, but as far as I know it plays no role in the admissions process. TASP isn’t looking for kids with perfect PSAT scores and amazing GPAs - it’s looking for kids who can think and reason critically and independently. So even if you aren’t particularly happy with your GPA, don’t hesitate to apply.</p>
<p>What are you kids doing? there’s no use panicking. I started mine during winter break last year, and got in fine.</p>
<p>thank you! everybody! :)</p>
<p>The most important thing about applying to TASP is to know NOT to ■■■■■ the boards asking if TASP will guaranteee admission to Harvard (or any other school). Live your life and apply because it’s what you want to do and don’t worry about the extras.</p>
<p>I’ll gladly second the remarks of all the TASPers on this board and add my own two cents:</p>
<p>1) Don’t worry about writing the essays now. If that’s your style, then yes, the essays are the same from year to year, and you can get started now. If not, you can write your essays pretty much in December and January and be absolutely peachy. (I think probably half of my TASP wrote their essays the day before…) What’s important is not that they’re polished, extensively edited pieces of writing that try to make everyone happy. It’s not important to write what people want to hear, but what is absolutely vital is that your essays are interesting, thoughtful, insightful, and critical. Oh, and be yourself. That’s probably the most important thing. (And if you don’t know who you are, those essays are a great way to find out.)</p>
<p>2) All those test scores? GPAs? Class ranks? They mean nothing. If you’re failing all of your classes in school, that certainly raises a red flag in terms of your level of intellectual engagement with the curriculum, but beyond that, those measures of performance carry almost no weight at all in the admissions. While it’s true that people with high PSAT scores get a TASP brochure in the mail, anyone can apply and all applicants are considered equally. It’s about how critically you can think, not how well you can do multiple-choice questions.</p>
<p>3) Don’t spend your junior year thinking about your TASPlication. As crazymonster said, live your life. Instead of working on those essays, DO something. Be passionate about something. Go out into the world and make an impact. If there’s anything TASP is “looking for,” they’re looking for people who are articulate, involved, passionate, visionary, and who know how to live. And if, in the course of living, you find that TASP seems like something you want to do, go for it.</p>
<p>For those who live it, TASP is an absolutely unique and indescribable experience. There are those far more eloquent than I who can articulate the beauty of the entire thing. But there is life outside of TASP–a whole world outside of it, in fact. Revel in that world, live in it, improve it. </p>
<p>I don’t want to criticize you for being this concerned this early on. A year ago, I was in your place–the 2011 CC thread will attest to that. It’s a difficult time, junior year is, and the TASPlication is no piece of cake. Take a breather, do something to relax, and I wish y’all the best of luck</p>
<p>portia0105 that was absolutely beautiful. Thank you</p>
<p>Hey everyone! I’m applying to TASP this year and I’m so nervous, but this thread looks great! I just saw the list of programs for 2012 (no descriptions yet, though). I love the sound of Diversity and Democracy, not too sure about the others. What programs do everyone want?</p>
<p>This is probably a REALLY dumb question, but when the course is during the summer and you’re required to be a junior, does that mean the sophomore-junior summer or the junior-senior summer? I’m assuming junior-senior summer and I’m pretty sure it is, but I’d just like to confirm.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>@Overide It’s the junior to senior summer.</p>
<p>I have a question: what chance do international students have? I’m a student from Italy who is currently attending a boarding school in CT. I’ve often been praised for my writing and I’ve consistently gotten my best grades in English Lit., but I can hardly compete against an equally talented native, who is always going to have a better dominion of the language. Any thoughts on this?</p>
<p>@mmmgirl</p>
<p>I’m really liking the sound of the Modernism Through Art one, but I think I might fall in love with Moral Complexity in Literature…</p>
<p>@inaweoflacs:</p>
<p>My TASP had a significant number of true international students–from China, for example–as well as internationals living/schooling in the United States. I’d say that as long as you can express yourself/your ideas articulately, there shouldn’t be a problem.</p>
<p>1) I second what Portia’s said. Well, mostly. I don’t think half of our TASP did their essays the day before it was due. I myself did not.
2) One other thing is, TASP will see your essays in light of your background. Of course if you’re a recent immigrant, they won’t expect your grammar and diction to be perfect. Or if you’re from a low income background, they won’t hold you back for not being too sophisticated.
3) My TASP interview was really relaxing. There were some unexpected questions, but if you know your essays really well, they wouldn’t be too hard to answer.
3) Not all TASPers here possess the valedictorian “swagger”. Some appear more relaxed than others, but they are all intelligent students who are going to attend good colleges. There is no fixed stereotype in term of personality and appearance.
4) I started my app over winter break. Don’t stress over it.
5) And trust me, you really want to go to TASP. If you want to go there solely because of its prestige, you will change your mind. But one advice is to never get too attached with anybody or anything. Remember, the summer is only 6 weeks, and when you have to leave it to come back to life, well, it’s like a bad break up right there. I’d advice you to pack your senior schedule with hard course-load to gradually adjust to life.</p>
<p>I’ll come back if I remember anything else. You can pm me, but I won’t be able to reply right away. Don’t ask me for my essays. Thanks.</p>
<p>So I’m a 14 year old student from Australia hoping to take part in the TASP of 2012.
I was just wondering what they look for the most in the essay. A strong personal voice, or a really thoughtful one? So would an essay which you write with your heart be better than one you write with your mind? (Does that make sense?)</p>
<p>I’m a 14-year-old in England hoping to apply in lower sixth (~= junior year, if I’m not mistaken?). Could someone give an overview of what the admissions office are looking for in international applicants? Also, does anyone have any experience regarding financial aid for visa fees?</p>