The application for the 2026 TASS programs will be due December 3, 2025. See the TASS Timeline for details.

TASS 2026 will be held from June 21, 2026 – July 25, 2026.

This year, we will conduct all interviews virtually, either over the internet or over the phone. If technology access is a barrier for your child, it will be important to let us know and we will work with you to make alternative arrangements.

Summer staff members will be on hand at all times to make the program run as smoothly as possible and to supervise the participants. Students live in a house with fellow students and program staff. Normal safety precautions are observed, including traveling in groups and locking the house at night.

TASS is free to all participants. There are no fees for applications, books, or tuition. All meals are provided.

Students are responsible for the costs of getting to and from the program site. If the cost of travel is a problem, students can apply for assistance in paying for travel, and we can also offer financial aid to replace earnings from summer employment.

Some students bring a small amount of pocket money for souvenirs, haircuts, coffee shop visits, or other discretionary expenses. However, it is not necessary to bring any money to the program.

Barring extenuating circumstances, we expect students to attend the full six weeks of the program.

We encourage students to stay in contact with their families during the summer. However, because of the busy schedule at TASS, visits must be planned with the summer staff and approved by them in advance.

Many students bring laptops to the program, but it is not necessary to do so. Each site has computing facilities for research and writing essays. We may also be able to help provide your child with a laptop for the summer.

Your child should feel free to discuss essay ideas with you, but the writing must be entirely your child’s own. Please do not edit or reword your child’s writing.

TASS applications are open to high school sophomores and juniors (“rising juniors” and “rising seniors”). Participants must be at least age 15 at the start of the program and no older than 17 by the end of the program. Both US and international students are welcome to apply. We admit applicants from all backgrounds, and welcome applications from Black and Indigenous students, other students of color, and/or students who have experienced economic hardship. We seek students who are intellectually curious, community-minded, and self-motivated.

For students currently in high school or homeschool in the US, birthdates must be between July 26 2008 and June 21 2011.

For students studying outside the US who do not have a US passport, birthdates must be between July 26 2009 and June 21 2011. International students (those studying outside the US who do not have a US passport) must be sophomores to apply.

Telluride is committed to fostering a safe environment and following COVID-19 health and safety protocols in accordance with guidance from the CDC and our host institutions. In summer 2023, we required all participants to be up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations and conducted regular COVID testing during the programs. Exceptions are available for medical and religious accommodations. Due to the evolving nature of this pandemic, it is not possible for us to fully predict what measures will need to be in place in summer 2026. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will announce requirements and protocols closer to the program’s start.