<p>This might or might not be breaking the pre-TASP contact rule–depends if you go or not this summer. </p>
<p>Full disclosure: I’ve been accepted, and I turned down a well-paying research position at a major Ivy League med school to go to TASP without any regrets, and I even want to be a science major in college.</p>
<p>BUT…that might not be the right decision for you. Yes, it’s your only chance ever to do TASP, and yes, it will look good on college admissions. Everyone who I’ve spoken to who’s done TASP has said that it was a phenomenal experience. But if traveling to Western Europe and Israel is your passion and you can’t imagine doing ANYTHING ELSE with your summer, do that. In the end, if you’re going to spend your entire summer thinking about what might have been, you’re not going to enjoy TASP as much as you could.</p>
<p>In short, do what you want. It’s not about your college application, it’s not about the dozen-or-so waitlisted TASP hopefuls, it’s not about what I think, or anyone else on CC thinks. It’s about what will make you the most fulfilled and the most happy. Don’t define your summer programs and your life experiences by which ones look best on an application to college, because your college acceptances are not what define you as a human being–you do. As overdone and repetitious as it sounds, follow your heart and forget about what everyone else wants of you.</p>
<p>Hey belly! Just wondering, made a decision yet? Seriously don’t let this take over your life! Life goes on before TASP and after it! I understand, it was a huge bummer being waitlisted but then I realized I have so much else going for me and so does everyone else who was accepted, waitlisted or denied! We’re about to be seniors, school’s about to end, there’s friends, family, prom, and a million other things to care about right now. Either way, no matter what you do this summer or the rest or your life, you’re going to have fun and talk about stuff with other people your age. There’s a world of oppurtunity waiting for us whether we spend six weeks out of our entire lives at TASP, or like the vast, vast majority of functioning, happy, successful adults, we don’t.</p>
<p>I’ve considered the matter carefully, and I will have to give up TASP. Luckily, I’ll be traveling to Florida, Western Europe nations, Israel and Michigan this summer. However, I haven’t let TASP know yet in case I encounter problems with VISAs. If everything goes smoothly, I’m happy for the next person in line :)</p>
<p>Thank you everyone who helped me make this decision</p>
<p>As a former TASPer, I’d like to point out that TA really does need to know if you’re not planning on going — they need to send out information to you, factota and professors, after all. So please, please do let TA know now that you’ve made your decision. TA, and whoever takes your place on the program, will appreciate it.</p>
<p>That would just suck if you had to go to TASP, right? Worst thing EVAR. God, I can’t imagine: writing five essays to try to get into a summer program, and being interviewed, and then actually GOING? Gross.</p>
<p>Sorry about the visa though (forreal), sounds like you were looking forward to traveling.</p>
<p>Is it just me or does this thread seem kind of faunt-y? As if it’s almost rubbing in the faces of people that this kid got into TASP? </p>
<p>I’m probably going to get backlash about this, but either suck it up and contact TA about not attending, or attend. You’ve already made the decision somewhere in your mind. </p>
<p>And more of just my opinion: If you “might” consider going and all this other bull, I honestly think that you don’t deserve to go, and that there are more deserving people on the waitlist. But that’s just me.</p>