Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Fully funded seminar at Cornell & Maryland
Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a program by Telluride Association for children aged 15 to 17, open to students across India. Registration closed 3 Dec 2025. It is free to take part.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Free
Duration
6 weeks
Format
Individual
Time needed
Full-time residential, 6 weeks
Key dates
- Registration opens
- 15 Oct 2025
- Registration closed
- 3 Dec 2025
- Dates
- 21 Jun 2026 to 25 Jul 2026
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
About this opportunity
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a highly selective, tuition-free six-week residential program for rising juniors and seniors in high school. Held simultaneously at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) and the University of Maryland (College Park, MD), TASS immerses participants in intensive seminar-style study guided by university faculty. Students read primary texts, write analytical essays, and participate in wide-ranging intellectual discussions spanning philosophy, history, political theory, literature, and social sciences. A defining feature of TASS is its student-run democratic governance: participants collectively manage their community, make binding decisions by consensus, and live according to an honor code they draft themselves. All costs — tuition, housing, meals, and travel within the US — are covered by the Association. Selection is through a competitive two-stage process: a written application followed by in-person or virtual interviews. Approximately 26 students are selected per site each year from thousands of applicants.
Eligibility
- Grade level
- Age range
- 15 to 17 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Intellectually gifted high school students; highly competitive selection based on written application and interviews
Open to high school sophomores and juniors (approximately ages 15-17) from any background. Selection is highly competitive based on intellectual merit, writing ability, and interview performance. No financial need requirement.
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Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
Seminar-based study of primary texts across humanities and social sciences; student-led democratic community governance
Rewards and recognition
Award
Fully funded — tuition, housing, meals, US travel
The program covers all tuition, room, board, and domestic travel costs. There is no fee of any kind.
Opens doors to
TASS selection is widely recognized by college admissions officers as one of the most prestigious academic honors for high school students in the US.
Recognition
Most selective US high school academic program
Skills your child builds
Languages
What your child will do
- Seminar-style text discussion
- Essay writing and peer critique
- Community governance meetings
- Research projects
- Faculty lectures
Mentors & faculty
University faculty from Cornell, University of Maryland, and other leading institutions serve as seminar leaders
How to apply
- 1Submit online application including essays, teacher recommendations, and transcripts. Deadline: early December.
- 2Semifinalists invited for in-person or virtual interviews in February 2026.
- 3Final selection decisions communicated March 2026.
Fees & financial support
Fee details
The program is completely free. Tuition, housing, meals, and domestic US travel are all covered by the Telluride Association.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)?
The registration deadline is 3 Dec 2025. Registration for this edition has closed.
Is Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)?
Children aged 15 to 17.
What will my child gain from Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)?
Fully funded — zero cost to participants. Six weeks of intensive interdisciplinary study with university faculty. Recognized as one of the most selective academic programs in the US. Builds lifelong community through alumni network.
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