I got an email from tasp because of my psat score, is this indicative of a score in the 99th percentile? I can’t wait until the Jan.7 deadline to get my score back :-SS
I still haven’t started my essays ahahhaha
@am7311 TASP is saying they sent those emails based on last year’s scores. But there is some speculation that it is based on this year’s and they’re just covering for CB. What did you get last year?
@foliontai I got a 1950 last year i hope it isn’t based on that score because I was hoping I would make national merit this year :-/
Where did they say that they sent those emails based on last years scores?@foliontai
@am7311 Well, this is where someone called TASP to ask: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1816872-psat-discussion-thread-2015-p52.html
If you keep reading that thread, you’ll see a lot of speculation based on last year’s scores as well as claims by CB that they haven’t sent out this year’s scores to colleges and summer programs yet. It is possible that CB is lying, but at this moment, there is no proof.
Does anyone know if TASP reads applications blindly (as in they read the essays without knowing the personal information of where I live and what school I go to), or am I allowed to refer to my neighborhood in my essay(s)?
@drakonus you’re definitely allowed to refer to your school neighborhood city etc
thanks!
I just found out about this program today; I’m willing to write the essays, though it does seem like a LOT! You guys were really on the ball, starting early! TASP seems really interesting. My strategy for summer programs is to submit applications to as many different ones as possible, (hopefully getting into one,) but I wonder if applying to TASP is worth it since the acceptance rate is only 5%…why don’t they request your transcript? Also, does being a privileged white person decrease chances even further?
being a privileged/white person is in large part why you have access to/awareness of these intellectual spaces in the first place - no, it doesn’t decrease chances lmao unless the entitlement/lack of critical thought that usually comes w/privilege is apparent in yr essays
also they request transcript later once you make it to interview round!
Does our date of submission also factor into our acceptance chances? I don’t think I can finish the essays til roughly January 20ish.
@CanisMajor i believe that a lot of people who got in turned it in very last minute. how many books/films/favorite things are you guys going to write about? i’m not sure how detailed my explanations should be, but then again, i’m not sure how to convey how much i like them unless i write a lot
@mischiefmaker Thanks for that answer.
My list of books and films will prob be dominated by books I loved outside of school and the best books that were school-mandatory (though i suspect outside school books is more favored). ill prob write two sentences each about what i loved and found unique. I think the biggest challenge (at least for me) is to make the book list as intellligent as possible, without coming off as pretentious. I dont know how many books/films will be on my list.
I’m finding it hard for me to narrow down my book/film/music list 
I picked some books which aren’t that well-known, but I loved. I’m worried about my list not being intelligent enough, too.
The book (and now movies apparently) list isn’t supposed to be a sort of “look how well read I am!” thing. They’re just trying to find out where you’re coming from and what your interests are. The TASP selection is as much about what people will make good seminars as it is about talent (especially after the interview level). My list had a lot of stereotypical “intellectual” books, but only because that’s what my background was. A bunch of other TASPers said that theirs wasn’t like it. Just be honest.
Am I the only one struggling with the first prompt? I don’t understand how you can fit everything in 9000 characters/ do we really state a unique perspective? Unique perspective… on what? Life? TASP? Humanities? And I was completely thrown off on the diverse/inclusive thing. If TASP is inclusive and you are unique, isn’t that like… what else is there to say? I feel like if TASP is an inclusive environment what is there to talk about diversity like TASP will be accepting? I don’t know.
A couple of questions. I just found out about TASP a couple of days ago and am trying to decide whether or not to apply. My GPA right now isn’t stellar (92.99/100) but I have some solid ECs, one of which includes an application-only writing fellowship at my school. From what I’ve read, TASP puts a significant amount of weight on their essays. Even if my GPA isn’t at the 95+ mark, do you think it would be worth it to try and see what happens?
Also, does being an URM (African-American, to be exact) affect my chances of getting in?
You should totally try out for TASP! 1. Grades/recommendation letters do not factor into your application, really, until mid-march when you’re notified of an interview. Even then, the only point of grades is to see that you’re not failing your classes. 2. TASP doesn’t select based on race/doesn’t discriminate based on race, but perhaps being an African-American could help if you’re applying to the “Black Lives Matter” program.
Your only problem now is finding time to write the many essays… good luck!