<p>Oh, thanks.</p>
<p>Hm, so for an essay, would you be talking about the author’s purpose, how he supports it (like what lit. devices, rhet. strats., etc.) and agreeing/disagreeing with it?</p>
<p>basically. i brought up the major themes and symbols that i saw in the novel, backed up their meanings with textual evidence, and tied it to the big overall picture/theme.</p>
<p>^ that’s what I did too</p>
<p>Okay so I’m officially freaking out. And I don’t freak out.
I’m completely finished with my application!</p>
<p>…except for my “pick a problem” essay. I have basically a day left and I still have no idea as to what topic I’m going to do. Any last minute ideas? I’m obviously desperate haha.</p>
<p>Zach, I would definitely give you some problems, but the thing is, the application is supposed to reflect YOUR interests. Whatever YOU like, whatever really gets you thinking… what are your extracurricular activities? what do you prefer to read about in your spare time? do any current events interest you? Philosophical ideas you’ve read about in literature at all? Think close to home-- you really don’t have to go out on a limb and bs something like world hunger or world peace or any of those “miss America” topics-- those are bland, cliched, and won’t show much about you. What do you like talking about over your dinner table?
best of luck :)</p>
<p>How about cultural relativism vs. moral absolutism? I feel like I need something more concrete and not so philosophical though…</p>
<p>Along those lines, you could talk about multiculturalism in the Netherlands, where Arab immigrants are generally self-segregated and refuse to integrate into society. It’s caused a huge debate about the idea of tolerance towards cultural values and national identity.</p>
<p>Thanks alot illuminar, I’ll look into that. It sounds pretty good actually.</p>
<p>I’M FINALLY
DONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.</p>
<p>whenever i start writing about science in my essays, i pull out like 400 words in like 20 minutes and i get all happy. LOL i’m so nerdy.</p>
<p>id like to mark myself down as one of the ones who was spared the usual last minute dash for an essay completion.
: )
im truly elated.lol.</p>
<p>I am going through the last minute dash for essay completion. :(</p>
<p>So…do we have to establish the importance of the themes in the context of the author’s lives? I don’t have room O_O</p>
<p>^i don’t think you “have” to do anything. </p>
<p>just write it as you feel until you feel you’ve given the text justice? (and of course, followed the prompt… which, btw, says nothing about that soo i guess not?)</p>
<p>hey, i’m new to the whole TASP thing, and first of all I wanted to know how much interest they place in your highschool transcript…it sounds like just about everyone applying to this is a 4.0 student, and i have probably a 3.7 uw. </p>
<p>Second…my problem essay (on stem cell research) sounds kind of like a research paper, but i needed to address recent breakthrough. Is it best to express opinion through things like “I think…” or express opinion as what you know to be true? i.e. “This way is better…”</p>
<p>help</p>
<p>From what I’ve gathered admission is really not based on school records or standardized scores. I’m sure most of the people applying are good students of similar caliber so really the essays are probably about 95% of what gets you in. That being said, a 4.0 student with 240 PSAT has a clearly lower chance than someone with slightly lower marks but who manages to write much more insightful and unique essays.
Personally, I’ve resigned myself to the fact that my admission to TASP is pretty much all a matter of chance. I think I’ve written good essays and I have a good academic record, but so do most of the people on this board. </p>
<p>Hope that answers your question, good luck!</p>
<p>Whoops, forgot about your second question. I think the main thing to keep in mind is that you need to clearly show your own views on the topic. I’d recommend taking a strong stance on your opinions, meaning more of “this is better/… this is bad because” as opposed to “my belief is…” etc.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about putting some research elements in your essay. I’m sure they’ll look at the topic and something like stems cells pretty much needs some kind of facts and figures to be credible. Just be reasonable.</p>
<p>Is anyone interested in sharing essays? </p>
<p>(For people that have already mailed in their application)</p>
<p>^haha i’ll consider sharing… PM me or something?</p>
<p>I submitted by mail on the 22nd. PM me one as well.</p>