<p>@Lerizse: You’re a freshman? They’ll probably take that into account I think</p>
<p>If I’m not mistaken, TASP is for people who finish junior year.</p>
<p>Dear TASP hopefuls,</p>
<p>It looks like it’s time again this year for a friendly message from the Telluride Association. I am re-posting the message I left on the TASP 2012 forum last year when I was chair of the selection committee. Out of fairness to potential applicants, Telluride Association has a policy of only sharing online information about TASP on the official program website, <a href=“http://tasp.tellurideassociation.org%5B/url%5D”>http://tasp.tellurideassociation.org</a>. However, because of the large number of students who turn to College Confidential each year to find out more about the program, there are a few things we would like everyone reading this site to know (and we would appreciate it if someone were to re-post these every so often as the length of the discussion thread grows):</p>
<p>First, nobody directly involved in TASP admissions posts to this site (with the exception of this one post). That means that any advice you seek or receive on this site may be misleading, out-of-date, or inaccurate. Having monitored the annual TASP threads for half a decade now, I can say that there is likely to be a lot more misinformation than you might suppose. A quick look through this year’s (2013) thread turned up a lot of misinformation already. You should not expect that program alumni have a helpful view of how to be admitted, and you should remember that their views represent only a few of the many perspectives students have of TASP. In particular, modeling your essays or essay topics on those of past successful applicants is unlikely to be a good strategy for you.</p>
<p>The good news is that there is a lot of quality information already available that has been vetted by the admissions committee. If you have a question, see if it is already answered on our FAQ page. If it is not answered there, we provide an email address on that page for sending your question directly to us—we usually answer within a day or two, and are happy to answer any questions you might have. If you want to hear from TASP alumni, check out our “Ask a TASPer” page—we make a special effort to find a representative variety of perspectives on each question.</p>
<p>Third, we encourage you to read our policy on online networking, at <a href=“http://www.tellurideassociation.org/programs/high_school_students/tasp/tasp_faq.html#networking[/url]”>http://www.tellurideassociation.org/programs/high_school_students/tasp/tasp_faq.html#networking</a>. In our experience, for a variety of reasons, students who come to the program without having spent time on sites like this tend to get more out of TASP. We can’t prohibit you from spending time here, and we love that you are curious and enthusiastic about TASP, but we also hope that you will learn from what we have observed.</p>
<p>Related to this, many people assume that this forum is anonymous. Our experience shows, however, that frequent posters are often easy for fellow TASPers (and sometimes even the admissions committee) to identify. You should keep this in mind if you decide to participate in discussions on this thread.</p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time to read this, and we sincerely hope that you decide to apply to our unique summer program!</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Michael Barany
TASP admissions committee, former chair</p>
<p>To be honest, this is the most obnoxious (serious) post I have ever seen on CC or anywhere. The condescending, controlling, and threatening tone from the former TASP admission chair is just too much for this old soul. </p>
<p>Luckily, since I am old, I can just say xxxxoff to them.</p>
<p>“Our experience shows, however, that frequent posters are often easy for fellow TASPers…to identify.”</p>
<p>And to stalk forever! But yeah, he’s right. Be mindful of what you post.</p>
<p>Ah, shmluza, were you talking to me? I know you don’t apply till after junior year. That’s why I said that I have 2y+ to acquire new ECs. And in case anyone was confused, I meant do I need good ECs to get into TASP, not college.</p>
<p>I assume TASP prefers debate ECs than, say, math ones?</p>
<p>[EDIT]: Lol also: how would you identify posters? And I don’t see how lurking the TASP part of these forums will ruin the program. From what I’ve seen so far, there’s really just information about admission, as opposed to how things are like in TASP.</p>
<p>dont go to tasp i went to umich last year and all you do is eat salad and they watch weird movies where they touch babies in weird places and the worst part is that all the dudes do this golden rule thing and dont let you jerk off but you know that really everyone does in the showers cuz you share showers and you get their gook all in yo body son</p>
<p>I don’t know whether it’s worth it applying to TASP…how much do they value the section where you list awards and activities and such? I could write some good essays, but I really don’t have standout extracurriculars (don’t really have major awards like some might). So yes how important are the ECs?</p>
<p>Are recommendations not required for this program?</p>
<p>My understanding is that awards are relatively insignificant in the selection process, or at least much less significant than your essays. </p>
<p>If you receive an interview, you will send in your transcripts and one teacher recommendation.</p>
<p>Any one started on your essays? What topics are you choosing, like books you read?</p>
<p>^Been meaning to. Haven’t yet.</p>
<p>Hey, I am just wondering whether anyone has attended TASP and would be willing to tell me (or us, perhaps) how to format the essay- as in, if there is a specific way it must be written. I would greatly appreciate if you could also share the topic idea just to get a sense of what to write of. Thanks!</p>
<p>For anybody who’s been to TASP in the past - </p>
<p>Is it actually worth it? There’s a lot I’d be sacrificing if I spent 6 weeks in Michigan (sports, job, social life, etc.); is TASP a significant enough boost on college applications to make up for this? I’ve got perfect grades and test scores, but reading CC has made me paranoid that that’s not enough. </p>
<p>Is a summer program like TASP a necessary boost for applications, and is TASP the best one to choose?</p>
<p>Answers:
Yes.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Telluride will reimburse your travel costs and up to $500 reimbursement costs if you happen to work that summer.
Nothing is ever enough, but let me tell you something. The Ivies aren’t that hard to get in as they’re made out to be.</p>
<p>
Yes, with my biased opinion. However if you do get in, you are guaranteed to get out much more than just that. Reread other posts for info. TASP is the best, hand-down.
Will it boost acceptances? Yes. I can tell you how most of my TASP ended up at top schools ( Most to Harvard & Yale. Fewer number to Stanford.) But keep this in mind, if you’re unique enough to get into TASP, you will get into good colleges.</p>
<p>
There is no essay format. Write what you want. Topic ideas? I am not going to share. Be original, bro.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>What makes you unique? ECs= what you do out of school= what makes you unique.</p>
<p>
This is very true.</p>
<p>
I love HK culture and am trying to learn Cantonese. Best language in the world. Fan of TVB and Au Yeung Jin’s music.</p>
<p>
No.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Doesn’t matter. I listed the silliest ones ever. But I’m not you, so list what you’ve read.</p>
<p>Quote:
And yea, I’m currently living in Hong Kong now.
I love HK culture and am trying to learn Cantonese. Best language in the world. Fan of TVB and Au Yeung Jin’s music.</p>
<p>@definemyself: It would be good if you have some basic Mandarin knowledge before you attempt to learn Cantonese. It’s one heck of a language to learn; considering that there are nine different pronunciations and all. But on the bright side, if you have mastered Cantonese, Mandarin should be easy for you. 
But of course, it all depends on the individual; some find it easier to learn Cantonese → Mandarin, while others are vice versa. PM me if you need help with your Cantonese. :)</p>
<p>@everyone: How’s the applications coming along? I’ve completed my book list, along with two other essays, but I’m finding the critical analysis a wee bit hard to write. > <</p>
<p>um i dont think tasp is an application boost. idek how that idea came about because quite a lot of us were not accepted to our first choice schools during the early round. so no it wont be worth applying if youre only applying to have a better chance at college admissions.</p>
<p>and idt is a definite format unless it says in the prompt. as cliche and “unhelpful” as it sounds just write about what youre passionate about.</p>
<p>So…when it says ‘write about a specific problem or topic’, do you really need a problem, or can you just write about whatever you want?</p>
<p>@renoverchat
yeah, basically write about a topic that interests you. don’t make it researchy, like a science report. you could do it on just about anything, i think. i did mine on why the canon of “great books” is a load of hogwash.</p>
<p>how did any of you guys interpret ‘not too researchy?’ i’m struggling a tad with that. what is it we must have to balance out the facts of the general topic itself in order to prevent it from becoming a research paper…? .-.</p>