ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

The leading article of the current Advocate by Mr. Olmsted, head-master of Pomfret School, is of great interest, because it presents clearly and forcibly the opinion of most of the prominent preparatory school masters upon a present and vital question--that of the Harvard admission requirements. Mr. Olmsted believes "that quality and accuracy of work is much more to be desired than ill-prepared quantity." This is putting it mildly. Under the present entrance requirements so much work in so many different fields is demanded that the candidate for admission is literally swamped with the multiplicity of subjects required of him. The result is that his knowledge amounts to but a smattering of his various courses. This hastily acquired and superficial knowledge, moreover, slips from his grasp too readily when the examination is past.

Another bad feature of the present admission requirements is the latitude which is allowed in the choice of subjects. A minimum of ten examinations is required from a pamphlet of thirty-four. Surely if it has been found wise to restrict the elective system in the College, it should be eliminated from the preparatory school.

Again, by cutting down the number of entrance subjects required, it should be possible to reduce the average age of entrance to the College. This is a factor which would aid materially in the influence and worth of the Freshman dormitory system, and is a point not to be overlooked.

The result desired, then, is that each candidate for admission be equipped with a sound and thorough knowledge of a few fundamental subjects. The way to obtain this end, we believe, is by requiring of the candidate a less extensive knowledge, but insisting upon a thorough preparation of the given subjects.