Telluride Association Summer Program (TASP) 2012 - Page 5

definemyself · 12-03-2011, 08:26 PM

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Ribalto- you say the critical analysis should not be about a popular piece of "teen material". However, I decided to go out on a limb and do an essay on a rap song. I had hoped that would be interesting, and I'm passionate about music. Does that sound feasible, at least?

Even though I'm not ribalto, as a previous TASPer, I think this is fine, but I forgot if they really ask for an ACADEMIC article, in which case you shouldn't. But last year I don't think there was anything very academic about my article, so I think your choice is good. However, are you sure you will do a good job on analyzing this rap song? If you can, that could be a real highlight because while all these people try to tackle heavy, contrived books, you stand out.

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But to previous TASPers, is there any specific argument we're supposed to make about our choice of literature? Like are we to argue the implications and development of a theme or analyze the validity of our choice? I just have no idea what exactly to say.

Anything, man. There's no specific argument but upon reading an article or a book, you should be able to have an opinion of your own. Analyze the book's argument, challenge it, qualify it. Anything.

ribalto · 12-03-2011, 08:44 PM

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Ribalto- you say the critical analysis should not be about a popular piece of "teen material". However, I decided to go out on a limb and do an essay on a rap song. I had hoped that would be interesting, and I'm passionate about music. Does that sound feasible, at least?

that's a great idea! definitely do it. the reason i cautioned against Rand is because it's a pretty conventional choice among teenagers when it comes to talking about something philosophically oriented. but i doubt many applicants would choose something like a rap song to analyze. as long as you've got interesting stuff to say about it, you'll be a-ok.

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I wouldn't do that if I were you? I'm applying this year as well and I just don't think a song is academic enough and isn't showing an intellectual interest in literature. Just my two cents though.

no no no. please don't think your choice has to be "academic enough" or that is has to showcase your "intellectual interest in literature." if you're the academic type and things like cultural relativism and existentialism are what get you going, then yes, you should talk about them. but if you're not that kind of person, writing about those things is a bad idea. write about what you're comfortable about discussing--both in a conversation and in an essay. and it can be anything at all, as long as it's meaningful to you.

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But to previous TASPers, is there any specific argument we're supposed to make about our choice of literature? Like are we to argue the implications and development of a theme or analyze the validity of our choice? I just have no idea what exactly to say.

they purposely word it ambiguously to leave you some room to decide. take whatever direction you'd like, but you'll need to do two things no matter your strategy: (1) discuss the substance and significance of the work (to yourself, society, or both), and (2) talk about how it affected you personally (the way you think, your perspective on something, etc.)

JessiGlueck · 12-04-2011, 05:26 PM

I just want summer to get here, and I want to get into this program more than anything...I'd love to do the Moral Complexity in Literature seminar.
Thought it might be fun to see what everyone else who wants to do TASP is like. What are you guys passionate about? Why are you applying? What are you all excited about? Let's keep in touch and make this less stressful

TellurideMichael · 12-06-2011, 11:37 AM

Dear TASP hopefuls,

Out of fairness to potential applicants, Telluride Association has a policy of only sharing online information about TASP on the official program website, <http://tasp.tellurideassociation.org>. The admissions committee voted to make a one-time exception, 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):

First, nobody directly involved in TASP admissions posts to this site (with this one exception). 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. 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.

The flip-side to that caveat is that the admissions committee has made a major effort to make accurate and up-to-date information available on our website. 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. 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.

Third, we encourage you to read our policy on online networking, at <http://www.tellurideassociation.org/programs/high_school_students/tasp/tasp_faq.html#networking>. 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.

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.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and we sincerely hope that you decide to apply to our unique summer program!

Sincerely,

Michael Barany
Chair, TASP admissions committee

definemyself · 12-06-2011, 04:37 PM

Hi,
Thank you for your advice. Even though I'm not a current TASP applicant, I wonder

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the admissions committee voted to make a one-time exception, however, because of the large number of students who turn to College Confidential each year to find out more about the program.

if this one-time exception mean this only applies to this specific post that you made? Will you be frequently posting on here?

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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

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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.

The points are so true. Current and future TASP applicant, mark this. If you will participate, please be moderate. The TASPers that you will meet are not idiots, and, as you may have guessed, are frequent readers of this site, and they will find you out and ask your very awkward questions about your identity. So, make the wise decision.

Und3rC0ver · 12-09-2011, 06:24 PM

I got a 216 on the PSAT in MA, do you think they'll send me a letter?
Is Sound and the Fury a good title for reading?
Or Notes from Underground? Or 1984?

Euripides4 · 12-10-2011, 12:45 PM

Hello im an international student. i am in the essay writing process for the 2012 tasp. I would like to know more about the international application process. thank you

portia0105 · 12-11-2011, 01:22 PM

Und3rC0ver: No idea about the TASP letter, but you can apply without one--just go to the website (Telluride Association: Our Programs: For High School Students: Summer Program for Juniors (TASP): General Information) and click on "Apply."

If you're asking on a general note regarding reading recommendations, I read Faulkner's /Absalom, Absalom!/ and absolutely adored it. And 1984 is vastly superior to Animal Farm. As far as topics for an analysis essay, no one on the CC boards is in a position to tell you what to write (see Michael Barany's post, directly above yours).

Euripides4: It's the same? The friendly people on the other end of the tasp-queries@tellurideassociation.org address would be able to tell you more about it than any of us...

careydscl · 12-17-2011, 08:46 PM

Received Telluride mailing today ...

skysailing · 12-24-2011, 01:19 PM

can the literary analysis really be about.. anything? like anything we take away from the work?

volynsal1 · 12-25-2011, 02:00 AM

What about any of the books in the Volk's series, such as Volk's Game, Volk's Shadow of the Wolf, and the Venona Cable (Author Brent Ghelfi).

Right now im trying to tackle Dostoevsky's The Idiot (just for fun)...is this too unoriginal of a book to use? My school's curriculum does not cover it...

@skysailing Im not an expert on this topic, but just for the sake of helping out a fellow CC user, yes I think it can be anything we take away from the work.

tongxiang77 · 12-26-2011, 12:51 PM

@volynsal1 I think as long as you have something striking to say, it won't matter how 'original' your book/song/piece of art is.

Is anyone also interested in taking Modernism through Modern Art and Theater?

EducatedFools · 12-27-2011, 12:16 PM

Starting my essays today!

Incorrigible · 12-27-2011, 12:50 PM

Me too!

My challenge essay is going to be my best. I can tell.

randomazn14 · 12-27-2011, 04:24 PM

Yeah, same here!

It's a very solemn day.