Applications Increase at Div School

An intensified recruitment program has led to a 17 percent increase in applicants to the Harvard Divinity School over last year, according to admissions officers there.

Admissions officers received preliminary applications from 319 applicants as of last week--compared to 273 applicants at this time last year. The Divinity School operates on a rolling admissions policy, with decisions finalized at the end of April.

Admissions committee chairman Philip C Sellew '36 characterized this year's pool as stronger and more well-rounded.

"It is striking how this year's applicants have shown excellence on many levels, especially in community service--they're not just academically oriented," said Sellew.

He linked the increase to the school's concentrated recruiting efforts for the Masters Degree program, which the school restructured three years ago.

Assistant to the Dean of Admissions Yerma V Gonzalez explained that the new recruiting program includes more college visiting an "a more deliberate outreach to churches, synagogues, denominational officials, and people who are actively involved in parishes."

She also encouraged prospective students to visit Harvard School visits are a new component of their recruitment program.

"We arrange a day or two at the school to fit people's interests. People react very positively after visiting," added Gonzalez.

In addition, Sellew said many applicants cited the Divinity School's program on the role of women as a deciding factor. He added that this was the first program of its kind.

Unlike Harvard, other divinity schools have not experienced sizeable applicant increases.

Boston University School of Theology admissions officers said that 68 people have applied to the Master's Degree program, as opposed to 71 at this time last year. The Yale Divinity School applicant pool has also remained about the same with 288 applicants compared to last year's 292.

Yale officials said the school would expand its recruiting effort next year. "We couldn't schedule many visits this year because of the possibility of a Yale strike," said Anne Miller, director of admissions.