The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a highly selective, fully funded humanities and social sciences summer program for intellectually curious high school sophomores and juniors.
Hosted at college campuses including Cornell University and the University of Maryland, TASS combines intensive, discussion-based seminars with democratic community living and leadership development. The program is especially well known for its emphasis on critical thinking, writing and social inquiry.
TASS is a free, highly selective summer program for high school sophomores and juniors interested in the humanities, social sciences and critical inquiry. The program is organized by the Telluride Association and is hosted at university campuses such as Cornell University and the University of Maryland.
TASS runs for approximately 5–6 weeks during the summer, and centers on seminar-style learning. Students participate in intensive reading and writing assignments, daily discussions, collaborative projects and community self-governance.
Students may apply for one of two areas of study:
The program is structured around two core components: rigorous academic seminars alongside a residential community experience where students share responsibility for aspects of campus life. Many students also complete major writing projects or presentations.
TASS is widely considered one of the most prestigious humanities-focused summer programs for high school students in the United States.
Founded in the 1960s by the Telluride Association, the program has built a long-standing reputation for intellectual rigor, discussion-based learning and civic engagement.
Among college admissions communities, TASS is often viewed as a top-tier academic enrichment program in the humanities because of its selectivity and academic intensity.
Alumni have gone on to attend highly selective universities and pursue careers in fields such as law, academia, journalism, public policy and education.
Getting into TASS is extremely competitive. The program does not post an official acceptance rate, but online sources note an acceptance rate of less than 5%, making TASS a highly selective program.
TASS seeks students with exceptional intellectual curiosity, strong writing and discussion skills, and a demonstrated interest in social, political and cultural issues. The admissions process is heavily focused on essays and evidence of thoughtful engagement with ideas.
For students interested in fields like history, literature, philosophy, sociology or political science, TASS is often viewed as a top-tier opportunity to deepen academic interests.
TASS participants are expected to engage deeply with complex topics related to history, politics, literature, culture and social issues.
The workload has been described as intellectually demanding because of the volume of reading, the level of discourse and the expectation that students contribute thoughtful perspectives.
Students who genuinely enjoy discussing ideas, asking difficult questions and exploring complex social issues are those who thrive most in the program.
TASS is open to:
Successful applicants are typically deeply curious, intellectually engaged and genuinely interested in humanities-centered inquiry.
International students must be comfortable participating in advanced reading, writing and seminar discussions in English.
To apply to TASS, include the following components:
After the initial application process, applications that are selected will proceed into an interview process. You can find the timeline for those dates below. Standardized test scores do not appear to be required for the application.
TASS does not use rolling admissions. Applications are reviewed after the deadline, and all applicants are notified during the same decision period.Because of the program’s essay-heavy review process, students are encouraged to begin preparing their materials well in advance.
Admissions decisions for the Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) are typically released in the spring.
TASS typically takes place over five to six weeks during the summer, usually from late June through July.
The program is hosted at university campuses in the U.S., with recent seminar locations including Cornell University and the University of Maryland.
TASS participants spend the summer immersed in intensive humanities and social sciences seminars centered on topics such as:
There are two main topics for TASS seminars: Critical Black Studies and Anti Oppressive Studies. These transformative educational experiences, rooted in emphasizing small group discussion, inspire promising young students to develop critical thinking skills. Program participants work to develop critical reading and writing skills and are involved with planning community service projects.
Students engage in reading, analytical writing, collaborative discussion and critical inquiry around complex social and intellectual questions through daily seminar discussions and written assignments.
Students are typically expected to read challenging academic texts, contribute thoughtfully to conversations and complete essays or other reflective projects. Program participants will reflect on how privilege shapes social structures and critically examine the tenets needed to transform society.
Two experienced faculty members teach seminar classes and lead writing workshops, along with teaching assistants (called “factotums”), giving students a taste of college academic life. Program instructor team members encourage students to practice transformative justice and engage with other students.
Two resident advisors also work to ensure that whole-week programming is satisfied (e.g., field trips, guest speakers visiting the Telluride summer program house, planning group activities, public speaking program, etc), ensuring students form a cohesive, inclusive community among other students.
A typical day includes:
TASS emphasizes democratic self-governance, so students participate in organizing activities, helping manage aspects of residential life and collaborating closely with peers outside the classroom.
TASS is fully funded for all admitted students, including tuition, housing, meals, facility fees, books and program-related expenses. There are no program costs.
For students needing financial aid to arrive at a TASS program, students can also receive travel assistance. The program can also provide additional financial aid to make up for lost summer job wages. Financial aid decisions are made separate from admissions decisions.
Participation in TASS can strengthen a student’s academic profile, particularly for students interested in fields such as history, political science, literature, sociology, philosophy or cultural studies.
Admissions officers often value experiences that demonstrate:
While participation in TASS doesn’t guarantee admission to selective universities, the program’s highly competitive admissions process and academically intensive environment can help show a serious commitment to humanities and social science inquiry.
TASS is best suited for students who:
Students who are intellectually curious, self-motivated and excited by deep conversations about society and culture often thrive in TASS.
Because the program is highly collaborative and community-oriented, students should also be comfortable participating actively in both academic discussions and shared residential life.
Getting into TASS requires demonstrating that you are intellectually curious, reflective and genuinely excited by ideas. Here are some ways to strengthen your application:
For students interested in the humanities, social sciences or civic engagement, TASS can be an exceptionally valuable experience.
Participants gain:
These experiences can help students better understand whether they want to pursue humanities or social science fields in college while also developing the confidence to engage deeply with challenging ideas and conversations.
TASS provides high school students with an intensive introduction to humanities-centered academic inquiry and discussion-based learning.
The program gives students a deeper understanding of complex social, political, historical and cultural issues while strengthening their critical thinking and communication skills.
For students who are passionate about subjects such as history, literature, philosophy, political science or sociology, TASS offers a meaningful opportunity to explore these interests in a highly intellectual and collaborative environment.
Looking to learn more about research programs for high school students? Check out this Complete Guide to Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students.
Students interested in humanities programs similar to TASS may want to consider:
For high school students searching for prestigious summer programs that are respected and valued by colleges, Pioneer Academics is a great alternative to this featured program.
Based on a recent survey from Pioneer Academics alumni, 71 percent of Pioneer Research scholars’ college admissions records were to the top 20 US colleges and universities. Six percent of Pioneer’s alumni attended university-affiliated summer programs.
If you’re interested in conducting the highest level of research for high school students, consider joining a Pioneer information session to learn more about the Pioneer Research Institute.
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TASS does not publish an official acceptance rate, however each year, the program receives a large number of applications for a very limited number of spots across its seminar sites.
Yes. TASS is fully funded for all admitted students. This means tuition, housing, meals, books and most travel costs are covered.
Getting into TASS is extremely competitive. The program selects students based on intellectual curiosity, writing ability and fit for a discussion-heavy humanities environment rather than test scores or awards.
At TASS, students take part in intensive, discussion-based seminars focused on topics like history, politics, literature, philosophy and social issues. They complete substantial reading and writing, engage in daily academic discussions and participate in a residential community where they self-govern and organize aspects of daily life.
TASS can strengthen a college application by showing that a student has been selected for a highly competitive, intellectually rigorous humanities program. Admissions officers may view it as evidence of strong writing ability, intellectual curiosity and engagement with complex ideas. However, it does not guarantee admission to selective universities on its own.
The Telluride Association Summer Program were summer programs offered through the Telluride Association. These programs were dissolved in 2021 in favor of TASS.
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