<p>OP, here’s a two-word answer that sums up pretty much what any TASPer will say: unique essays. </p>
<p>To elaborate: Not necessarily well-written–though that helps–or even intellectual; however, they must be intriguing and unique. If someone else reads your essays, would they want to get to know you better? Make sure your essays represent YOU and couldn’t have been written by anyone else. And then just hope that the adcoms like you–they may not, oh well, that’s life. Not everyone will like you.</p>
<p>I think depth is one common characteristic of TASPers.</p>