<p>The more i think about TASP, the more i wonder if it would even be worth it to apply. Now that there are only 3 seminars this year the acceptance rate is going to be around 4%; 6% for interviews. That's so discouraging. I feel like if i put my heart and soul into the applications and i get rejected, I'll be very depressed. And it's not like college applications because i know if i apply to some schools (ex. Harvard) i have a likely chance of getting rejected just because they consider so many other things. TASP is a make or break off of your essays, so putting in so much time for those essays to get rejected would be horrible.</p>
<p>I’ve promised to several people (like the one you know as Obstinate) that I would never post on here, but I definitely think you could benefit from my own perspective on this. I was a TASP finalist last year who, unfortunately, was rejected after the interview phase. Though I reran the memories of my interview over and over again in my mind that Wednesday so many months ago, I recall noting that I had, as far as I knew, not made any egregious error. So why did they reject me? I can’t say now, but I will say this. Though you may be bummed for a day or two, you realize quickly that you have grown from the experience, regardless of whether the outcome is favorable. I know several other rejects who had incredible summers even without TASP. As for me? The day after I attended my “backup” for TASP, I knew that I too had found a home. As far as I’m concerned, TASP has been overblown and overpraised here. It’s an incredible program, but you may just realize that there’s more to life than getting in. I say, apply. You never know what will happen, but staying too long on this forum will certainly not help you. Peace, and good luck.</p>
<p>Well, you could go through life never “putting your heart and soul” into anything at which you might not succeed…But that wouldn’t be much of a life, would it?<br>
If you have looked at the TASP brochure and decided that it isn’t a program you would enjoy, don’t apply. If you have so many other fabulous opportunities taking up your time that you don’t have time to apply, don’t apply.
BUT-- If you are not applying because being rejected would be too painful-- I strongly urge you to get over yourself already! APPLY! Put your best work into your essays. And then, apply for some other summer programs as well! And, realize that you may be rejected. Big whoop. Their loss! Plenty of other opportunites to explore. Now, Get out there and explore 'em!</p>
<p>Apply! And it’s essays, not you, that they may reject. I will keep saying this because this is something that needs to be internalized by everyone who applies: you as a person are not being judged, they are judging five essays and possibly an interview concerning those five essays. I found the process of writing the essays to be very beneficial to me in itself, and it was actually a lot of fun (though stressful of course). Also keep in mind that when you apply to colleges next year you can use your TASP essays as jumping off points for those essays. It’s free also. You have absolutely nothing to lose. Hollow is of course right, there is more to life than getting into TASP, one would have to be delusional to think of their life hanging in the balance of a summer program application. </p>
<p>Notice I haven’t even mentioned how amazing the program is if you get in. Seriously, apply.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, a lot. I appreciate all three of you taking the time to write meaningful posts. I guess I’m just confused. I actually did start my first essay a few days ago and just finished it; also just sent it out to multiple trustworthy adults to go through some rigorous revising. That essay was probably the most thought-provoking and meaningful to me (essay #2, topic of choice for TASP). I let out what i thought about a certain topic and argued my point accordingly.</p>
<p>hollow i’m really sorry to hear you got rejected after an interview. I could imagine the interview went well, too; you just have to put yourself in the position of the people interviewing you. They have over 100 brilliant students, picking the 60 whatever student’s that they accept is probably an impossible process. I would kill to just get an interview. I want the interviewees to see me in real life and i want the opportunity to discuss what i have to say in person.</p>
<p>Hopefully I’m accepted, but like you guys said, it’s not the end of the world. I’m going to put everything i got into those essays, see you all when admissions roll by!</p>
<p>I loved TASP–and I was waitlisted at first, talk about drawing out suspense–but it’s not for everyone. That said, if you do think you would enjoy the experience, why NOT apply? The essays are an experience unto themselves, even if you’re rejected in the first round.</p>