Dean Reports On Freshmen

Predicted Rank List ratings can not give a fully accurate measurement of a student's academic potential, Dean von Stade indicated in his annual report to the Dean of the Faculty.

Although the Class of '62 "was potentially the strongest in academic terms that had ever enrolled" at the College, a total of 50 students withdrew, 41 with unsatisfactory records. Only eight of these students, however, had PRL's in the bottom 10 per cent of the class, while 16 ranked above the median. Thirteen held scholarships from the College and "several others" had grants from other sources.

Preparatory school graduates and sons of alumni had the greatest likelihood of going on probation for academic reasons, the Dean's report continued. Four per cent of the prep school graduates had their connection severed, double the figure for public school students. While alumni sons comprise only 20 percent of the class of '62, over 34 per cent of those withdrawing were from Harvard families.

Von Stade felt the number of withdrawals "low," however, since "there will always be a small number of new students who simply are not ready for the Freshman year." The number of students severed represented a slight increase from the Class of '61, rising from 31 to 32.

Science Interest Lost

Freshmen tend to lose interest in science during the first year of residence, von Stade also noted in his report. Although nearly 50 per cent of '62 intended to concentrate in the natural sciences last fall, only 34.2 per cent remained in the field by spring. Only 20.8 per cent had planned to concentrate in the social sciences at the start of the Freshman year, but six months later 39.7 per cent chose fields within the area.