Dean Hanford Reports on 1935-36

The following paragraphs are quoted from analyses of statistical tables in the report.

Fields of Concentration

The most significant changes in fields of concentration since last year are to be found in Economics and Government, which show gains of 66 and 62 respectively; and in English, Romance Languages, Fine Arts, and Biology, which show losses of 30, 18, 15, and 15 respectively. The fields of Economics and Government showed similar gains in the past two years, and the fields of Romance Languages and Fine Arts have shown losses in the previous three years. On the basis of the June figures, the field of English held first place in the number of concentrators, followed, as in past years, by Economics; the field of Government attained third place, replacing History, which held that position in the previous year. As a result of changes in fields of concentration this fall, Economics has moved into first place, so that the order of the four largest fields at present is as follows: Economics, English, Government, and History. The next largest Departments are Biochemical Sciences, Chemistry, History and Literature, and Romance Languages.

Honors -- Degrees

The proportion of students who were candidates for honors in June, 1936, was practically the same as in June, 1935,--namely, 41.4 per cent as compared with 42 per cent last year.

The proportion of degrees awarded with honors in special subjects is approximately the same as in the previous year,--31.1 per cent as compared with 31.9 percent for the year 1934-35. The number of men who received honors in general studies, however, is only 27, or 3.1 per cent of the total, as compared with 40, or 5.3 per cent last year. The proportion of all degrees awarded with honors, including both those in a special field and in general studies, is, therefore, less than in 1934--35. During 1935-36, 34.2 per cent of the degrees granted were awarded with honors, while in 1934-35 the proportion was 37.2 per cent. During the last five years there has been a gradual tendency for the number of men who have taken honors in general studies to diminish, as shown by the fact that in 1931 there were 50 men, or 6.5 per cent, who received this form of honors. The decline is perhaps due to the fact that the cum laude in general studies is not as highly prized as it formerly was in view of the increased interest in working for honors in a special field.

Of the larger fields (those having 15 or more candidates), Mathematics, Physics, Economics, History and Literature, Biochemical Sciences, Chemistry, and History lead in the percentage awarded honors in a special subject, each having 32 per cent or over. The highest percentage among the larger fields is that of Mathematics, which leads with 55.6 per cent of its successful candidates receiving their degrees with honors; last year Psychology led with 62.5 per cent. The percentage of lost degrees (8.2 per cent) is higher than last year (6.7 per cent), but slightly below that of 1933-34 (8.8 per cent).

National Scholarships

An analysis of the Rank List Standing of the forty members of the Class of 1939 who received National Scholarships and regular scholarships, or Harvard Club awards shows that 35 or 87.5 per cent had honor records as compared with 25.6 per cent for the Freshman Class as a whole. The members of the Class of 1939 who received National Scholarships and also the "runners up" not only made an excellent showing scholastically, but they also made important contributions to the general life of the College and did not isolate themselves from their classmates. From the very beginning of the year they exercised a worth-while influence on the Freshman Class, as illustrated especially by the service several of them rendered in helping to make a survey of the work of the freshman year and by the leading part which two played in putting out the most successful Red Book in recent years, in addition to the leadership in many other activities of the Class.

In the spring of 1936, the College announced that at least ten National Scholarships would be offered to incoming freshmen.

Further Statistics

As in previous years, a number of promising candidates to whom National Scholarships could not be awarded because of lack of funds or who just fell short of meeting the standards were awarded regular College or Harvard Club scholarships. In this way twenty-three of the "runners up" were given freshman scholarships.

An increase in total enrollment due largely to the fact that the number of newly admitted freshmen did not shrink as greatly as was expected between the time of admission in July and the opening of college in September.

Other contributing factors of minor importance were an increase in the number of men who were readmitted on the basis of good Summer School work and improved financial conditions, which have made it possible for more students to remain in college and for certain men who had previously withdrawn to resume their studies. The increase in enrollment has presented certain problems, such as the adequate housing of undergraduates and an increased burden on the tutorial and teaching staff. It is hoped that the enrollment may be kept down to the number at which it was more or less stabilized several years ago,--namely, about 3,500, or 3,550.

A continuation of the recent trend toward a reduction in the number of students completing the requirements for the degree in less than four years.

An increase in the number of men who made the Dean's List. 25.7 per cent were on the Dean's List as compared with 24.1 per cent in 1934--35.

A slight decrease in the proportion of students who had their connections severed for one reason or another