<p>My youngest daughter has wanted to do TASP since middle school when she first heard about it. It seems perfect for the type of kid she is, and we are well aware of how hard it is to get so I realize this may be a non-issue. The problem, however, is her school’s requirements about juniors being available at the school for junior summer if they want to do major school activities during Senior year. For example, she has been coming up the student government ladder and thinking about running for President next year. The school rules seem to prohibit her doing that if she accepts a program like TASP that would require an extended period away from our home town. If your child had to choose, which would you recommend? Is one better for the college application and another for life experience?</p>
<p>I’d really talk to the school, what you describe seems unreasonable. There are so many wonderful summer activities, it’s hard to believe a school would limit it’s students from enjoying them. Missing TASP would be an extreme shame.</p>
<p>My guess is that, if you look into it, you would decide that TASP is better for both. From a college-admission standpoint, there tens of thousands more student government presidents out there than TASPers, and TASP’s selection criteria are very consistent with Harvard’s, while the selection criteria for student government president really aren’t. At the very least, it’s a verifiable, highly competitive, national honor, with a history of adding real educational value to its participants. (Among other things, I think the kids get a really good start on their college essays.) From a life standpoint . . . all I can say is that 35 years on my wife still talks about it as one of the fundamental formative experiences of her life, and other TASP alumni I know say similar things. It has real educational and personal value to its participants.</p>
<p>Regardless, it would be nuts for a school to discourage students from doing TASP. It’s not like it takes all summer, either. It’s six weeks out of what is usually a 12-week summer, and cellphones are available to handle any urgent student-government emergencies that come up in July.</p>
<p>JHS covered it. Just want to suggest your D read what TASPers have to say about their experience; I suspect that would make the decision exceedingly easy.</p>
<p>TASP over SB Pres.any day! Hope she had the opportunity! good luck!</p>