WHAT EVERY FRESHMAN SHOULD KNOW

Last spring more than one-quarter of the Freshman class found themselves outside the Houses looking in. The main cause of this unfortunate situation was, of course, the lack of available rooms. Secondary were scholastic and financial reasons. With such obstacles facing them when they soon receive House applications, first year men should be plainly told all definite facts about the conditions and pitfalls of admission. In view of the meagre information published for them, they should make full use of their House dining hall privilege and diligently consult upperclass friends, House tutors and Masters, who obviously know more about getting into Houses than University Hall.

As every Freshman will discover when he confers with House representatives, beginning March twenty-third, there are no two or three factors that will guarantee admission. Naturally, several assets make for acceptance. Requisite are a good academic standing, extra-curricular interests, friends in the House for which one applies, selecting the House that has the most tutors and best library equipment for one's field, and setting as high a room price limit as possible. Dangerous are applications by men with high marks who intend to room with those having low marks. Caution should be used in making second choices on applications to avoid selecting a House that may be overapplied. Dishonest are Freshmen who seek admission without a sincere desire to belong to some House for three years and to add something to its personality during that period.

Probably Yardlings will find the most trouble in fixing a room rate. By all means they should decide beforehand exactly how much they can pay, and those who can afford high-priced rooms should resolve to set a high limit out of fairness to the men able to afford only the lowest-priced. Freshmen who must ask for the cheapest accommodations ought not to feel discouraged, as House Masters will take their finances into consideration. Once an applicant commits himself on a price limit, he is bound, unless he can provide an extraordinary excuse, to pay the same rate or higher in his Junior and Senior years.

Until a Master has interviewed all applicants, he cannot fairly specify who will and who will not be admitted. Yet it is essential for every Freshman wishing to become an Elephant or Funster to remember that few are accepted by mere presentation of credentials. The wise men will employ all kinds of devices and use all influences to insure acceptance. It is silly to believe that the Masters or their assistants pay no heed to tugs and pokes from behind friendly curtains. Those who get in will be the ones who write letters, pull many strings, and prove the most convincing to House representatives.