Telluride Association

<p>hey~ anyone else here planning to apply to TASP?
question for past TASP-ees: how was it?</p>

<p>I would like to know if anyone has done the sophomore year program, TASS. (Sorry to butt into your thread, but it seemed related.)</p>

<p>I applied last year. I was rejected, which was really disappointing after writing five essays and completing the whole thing. Of course, I knew the chance of being accepted was really low, something like 60 out of 900 students I belive. Furthermore, those invited to apply scored above the 95th or 98th percentile on the PSAT test.</p>

<p>If you do get in, I am sure you'd love it. It sounds like about the best summer learning experience one could find, and an all expense paid one, too. Not getting in really is disappointing but it would be worse if you could have gone but missed the opportunity.</p>

<p>Good luck if you decide to apply!</p>

<p>eep; well, TASP is definitely one of the most selective summer programs for high school students. if you're socioeconomically disadvantaged or if you belong to an underrepresented minority, your chances of being accepted to TASP sky-rocket. also, it seems like they're looking for the humanitarian rights advocate/social leader/activist- type, if that made any sense. that's all i really know about admissions =/</p>

<p>I actually went to TASP last summer - I had an amazing time. You live with 19 brilliant people for six weeks in a pretty unstructured environment and get to know everyone really well. You take a college-level seminar, which for me was fascinating, but might not be if the the topic doesn't interest you. We also had house meetings where the TASP decides on activities to do together in a drawn-out democratic manner, with much voting and making motions throughout. During the free time, we did homework (mostly reading) went to Starbucks, bookstores, movies, on looong walks, etc. I think that's all the important stuff.</p>

<p>What navyblue said about admissions criteria is somewhat true; most of my fellow TASPers were liberal, and a few were what you would call activists. Most people were middle class and there were a fair number of racial minorities. What they are looking for most is open-mindedness (if I was cynical, I could say they want open-minded people to indoctrinate them with liberal/activist beliefs) But I am not the typical TASPer - I'm not a racial minority or terribly poor/liberal/the humanitarian rights advocate -type, and I had a great time. </p>

<p>Hope this helps</p>

<p>thanks!
what kind or resumes did all the ppl who got accepted have? Are they all like perfect SAT scores and president of three clubs, etc?</p>

<p>SAT scores varied from somewhere in the 1100s to 1600. We had a lot of people who had one passion - music, political activism, debate, etc, rather than well-rounded types. Some people were active in clubs. I think what set TASPers apart was intellectual curiosity and awareness of current events and history rather than a perfect resume.</p>

<p>barbarossa!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>To clear up a few things:
(a) it's 99th percentile, but people can also be nominated by their teachers</p>

<p>Once you're invited to apply, the main criteria for getting in are the essays you write, and (if you get it) the interview.</p>

<p>TASP itself is INCREDIBLE. The people aren't necessarily all activists. They're really all just intellectual and love analysis and thinking.
I really encourage you to apply! Even if you don't get in, the essays will be really useful for college admissions. And if you do get in, you will be getting lifelong bonds and find a new brotherhood for life!</p>

<p>I went to TASP this past summer (2005) and I can attest to everything said above. You need to score in the 99th percentile on the PSAT or get recommended by your school.</p>

<p>People have a penchant for literature, but there was a presence of math/science kids, so there's a balance. As far as liberalism goes, it is easily the most accepting environment I've ever been in, so don't worry about it. </p>

<p>Be forewarned, these people are freaking smart, you will probably be challenged intellectually like you've never been before, but if you're considering applying, you probably think this is fun. I don't mean to scare you, we had our share of slackers who didn't read a single book and slept all the time.
You should all apply to TASP because it is way cool.</p>

<p>If you didn't score in the 99th percentile on the PSAT (say, 93rd or 94th) but are recommended by your school, do you have less of a chance of getting accepted to TASP?</p>

<p>The more I hear about TASP, the more I want to go, but I don't want to get my hopes too high.</p>

<p>No, we had a person who scored somewhere in the 60-70th percentile and was recommended by his school, so don't worry about it.<br>
TASP is awesome, and you should want to go, but don't get intimidated. Go into it with an intellectually curious mindset and a chip on your shoulder and you'll be fine, lol.</p>

<p>I applied to this summer's TASP and became a finalist, but I was rejected after the interview....It was the most intense hour of my life.</p>

<p>lol, me too. Why the sudden resurgence in TASP, pianoking?</p>

<p>I heard the TASP interview was super hard. What do they grill you over?</p>

<p>The interview isn't terrible if you are moderately astute at thinking on your feet. They essentially ask you about your essays, so make sure you remember what you wrote about, lol. They will probably use that topic to get into some debate, and will take up a contrary position to nearly everything you say. Again, it's difficult, but if you pay attention, you'll have no trouble. Don't picture an interrogation board, but a group of really smart friends whom you are having a discussion with.</p>