TASS vs RSI: Which Program Is Right for You?
Two selective summer programs on opposite sides of the aisle: TASS is a humanities/critical-theory seminar community, RSI is a STEM research placement. For summer 2027 the choice is made for you: the Telluride Association announced on September 21, 2026 that it will not offer TASS summer sessions in 2027 while its board reviews the program.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) and Research Science Institute. A blank row is a fact we do not hold — not a zero, and not a no.
| TASS | RSI | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Not listed | Not listed |
| Application deadline | 2027 program paused | December 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST (CEE RSI 2027 portals) |
| Grade eligibility | Grades 10–11 | Grade 11 |
| Format | In person | In person |
| Location | United States | Cambridge, MA, United States |
| Program dates | Not listed | Not listed |
| Application destination | apply.tellurideassociation.org | cee.org |
| Organizer | Telluride Association | Center for Excellence in Education |
Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Research Science Institute
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to both TASS and RSI?
The application destinations are evaluated independently. TASS: apply.tellurideassociation.org. RSI: cee.org. Review each provider's current instructions before assuming either application is open or compatible with the other.
Which is better for college applications, TASS or RSI?
We do not rank enrichment programs by admissions value. Use the comparison to assess whether each program's documented constraints fit your situation, and check the details that decide it for you on each program's official page.
What grades can apply to TASS and RSI?
TASS: Grades 10–11. RSI: Grade 11. Eligibility can change between cycles, so confirm it on each program's official page before applying.
Related comparisons
TASS appears in 1 of 56 comparison pages. RSI appears in 4 of 56 comparison pages.
How we count
Our comparison list has 56 pairs covering 91 catalog programs. Those numbers count this list only. They are not a ranking or the size of the full catalog.
We don't rank programs or name one of them the best.
When we don't list a cost, it is unknown, not free. Check the official page.
Catalog-wide numbers, and what each was counted out of, are on Statistics.