<p>I find it funny that TASP would arrange an interview committee consisting of two 19-year-old Chinese Harvard undergrads with the same scientific materialist/moral relativist mindset, all while claiming to be the ultimate upholder of diversity…</p>
<p>edit: edit edit edit</p>
<p>First and last post on this thread as well - Cornell I! Not sure if I’m attending.</p>
<p>Is there a waitlist?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yikes. As an alum who interviewed this year, I just wanted to make a post. A lot of the conventional wisdom on CC is true.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Interviewers are generally alumni who volunteer. There’s no conspiracy, just a combination of times that work for different people.</p></li>
<li><p>You’ve mentioned that your interviewers were Asian at least twice. Nearly 30% of students at top schools are Asian. Demographically, that’s how it works out sometimes. As a sidenote: their race has nothing to do with anything. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>-As I’m sure you’ve read, those probing questions are generally to see how you analyze and defend a point rather than your actual stance. If something is problematic in your essays, the questions might guide you to question your own assumptions. Even if your interviewers actually shared a similar philosophical framework, it should have no bearing on your acceptance. It’s hard to explain, but trust me on this. Beyond that, your acceptance doesn’t begin and end with your interviewers. There are checks and balances in place.</p>
<p>-I’m not going to pretend that TASP isn’t nerdier than the general population. There are a lot of smart, outgoing and normal people that party who get in and love it though.</p>
<p>-There is no moral to the story, I promise. I can think of a few TASPers off the top of my head who are involved in fashion-related activities in college (including myself and one of your interviewers, if it’s who I think it is)</p>
<p>There’s no science to getting in. Almost everyone who gets an interview is extremely qualified and will probably get into their dream college, with or without TASP. It often comes down to intangible factors, and it’s not worth your time to either a) beat yourself up about it or b) try to rationalize why it wasn’t right for you in the first place. </p>
<p>It’s a great program, but it’s not the end-all be-all that it’s hyped up to be on these boards. As much as everyone here wants to go to TASP, sometimes it’s a question of “Will this person really benefit from TASP?” The answer isn’t always yes, and that isn’t a knock against a person in any way. I’m sure you’ll have a great summer regardless!</p>
<p>@inaweoflacs</p>
<p>yes, there’s a waitlist. i’m on it. =/</p>
<p>@HappyCycling
Thank you, your post puts my mind at rest! I’m sure I’ll have a wonderful summer regardless, but not a very intellectually stimulating one! </p>
<p>To anyone who did get into the program: have fun!</p>
<p>see y’all this summer. enjoy the rest of the school year!</p>
<p>Would any past Cornell TASPers be willing to share what the accomodation and bathrooms were like?</p>
<p>^ i second this.</p>
<p>
Rooms- no ACs. The summer was very hot. On top of that, you have to walk a lot since people plan a lot of events. But that was how we bonded. If the accomodations were too good, people would just only spend time in their rooms.
Talk about rooms, they’re in good conditions, comfortable but old. Bathrooms are communal (suite) except for two. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. Just be sure to arrange specific times with your suite mates when you are going to take baths so everyone won’t rush in at the same time thirty minutes before the seminar.</p>
<p>has anyone here been to UMich before? any chance advice’d be interesting to hear.</p>
<p>Thank you @belly! I really, really appreciate it! :)</p>
<p>When you say communal bathrooms, can you lock the door and stuff? I don’t know quite how communal bathrooms work so I’m sure this is a stupid question. :D</p>
<p>I have a question: After you send in the application, is there a second round where people get interviewed, or does everyone that applies get an interview?</p>
<p>They got ~1300 applications this year, cut it down to ~140 finalists who were interviewed and had to send in transcripts/recommendations and then they accepted/rejected people.</p>
<p>^ man, the more i think about that, the more lucky i realize i am</p>
<p>Okay. Thanks. What criteria do they use to pick the finalists? Do they look at your class schedule, rigor, and GPA?:)</p>
<p>I don’t think the application form itself asked about your class schedule/GPA and since you don’t send a transcript unless you are chosen as a finalist, they can’t judge from that. :)</p>
<p>I would say that, since they say everyone from whatever background would be a minority at TASP, you should highlight what makes you unique and also how you have taken advantage of what is available to you.</p>
<p>So would it be good to talk about my heritage in the essays?</p>
<p>What is your heritage? :)</p>