Hey everyone! This is a thread for discussing the TASP application and for providing support through the long process. Does anyone else find the change in prompt/essay topics to be strange?
True! How are your essays going?
I found a few of the old prompts difficult to answer, so I’m actually relieved that they changed the essay prompts. (If I can’t answer a prompt, I tend to… deviate… from it, and it usually doesn’t end up going well.)
ahh hi kiddos. 2015 TASPer here. All I would say about the essay swap is be very, very deliberate in your responses. And for the love of god, stay off of college confidential. Go out into the world. Take a walk. Play some soccer. Have fun with your junior year and may the odds be ever in your favor.
@CarepDeim12 Can you elaborate on what you mean by “deliberate”? Sorry, I just want to increase my chances of getting in haha
Darn, I really liked the old prompts and I was hoping to avoid elaborating on my less-than-stellar EC list. I even started a detailed outline for the old critical review prompt. Hopefully my other essays make up for that.
not like I’ll get in anyways :))
@loquatical this is why you procrastinate 
Hello potential TASPers!
I am a 2014 TASP alum currently attending Columbia University and (potentially) majoring in Art History. I concur with the previous comment that you should stay off College Confidential for “the love of God.” When I applied to TASP, I did not use CC as it would have contributed to my stress significantly. Also keep in mind that the students using CC are NOT representative of all those applying; you are a self-selected group.
You may or may not be accepted to TASP, but your life will go on regardless. In the end, there is an incredible amount of luck in this application. Putting in the hours to write stellar essays will increase your odds of admission. But, when you click submit, you are LITERALLY rolling a die and HOPING everything will turn out all right. So, if you are rejected, realize that it is not necessarily on the grounds of merit. And, if you are one of the fortunate few, then realize that you are lucky more than you are talented. I rolled the die; I won the lottery. In another world or another life, I could have rolled that exact same die and lost.
By all means apply to TASP. But, make sure to limit your emotional investment because, in the end, TASP is only six weeks in an expected lifetime of 80+ years. So take the time to write your essays, and have fun in the process learning about yourself and becoming a better writer. But, remember to divorce the process from its uncertain product. The less emotionally invested you are in acceptance, the more easily you will be able to palette rejection. Just hope for the best and remember that you are a beautiful person regardless of TASP or college admissions.
Warm wishes,
Boss Tweed
P.S. If you would like advice on applying, you can reach out to me at: mdz2112@columbia.edu. Although keep in mind that I’ve a busy schedule and my responses will necessarily be brief. I will not read over your application, but I may be able to offer you general advice. I believe everyone deserves a fair chance at applying, and I will not bias this process against other applicants in any way.
^ Very generous of you. Your generosity, humility and maturity are all very apparent.
Was it necessary for a student to be “nominated” in order to apply? I just found out about this program today, and therefore missed the “nomination” deadline. I don’t quite understand the purpose of the nomination. Thanks!
If I remember correctly, the nomination is not necessary, just a way to enable teachers to inform potential taspers.
@Palegg Yeah, I think you’re right.
@MonaLon MONALON! THE LEGEND!
@mischiefmaker I’m a legend?! News to my ears, lol
were you a Cornell TASPer?
no it is not required
Hey, can anyone answer a question about TASP for me please? Thank you.
i can try @RyloKen what is your question?
hey are you guys writing the 250 word optional essay? i’m trying to decipher if it’s actually optional or not
@mischiefmaker I don’t plan on writing it. I think you should only write it if you have something important to say that doesn’t fit elsewhere in your application.