Prospects Flock to Harvard

Potential members of next year's freshman class streamed onto campus yesterday fro the first-ever Early Action program, to be held through Wednesday.

Although half of the 255 students arriving were from the New England area, prospective freshmen flew in from places as far away as California and Puerto Rico.

Admissions officials have said the three-day program aims to reverse a recent trend which has seen fewer Early Action admitees opting for Harvard. Officials invited the 470 students admitted early in an effort to boost the Early Action acceptance rate from 90 percent to 100 percent.

Students interviewed yesterday expressed general relief that Monday's schedule was open, allowing them to get settled and explore on their own. The only scheduled activity was a special preview showing for about 100 prospective students of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals' new show, "Of Mines and Men."

The initial lull allowed a few high school seniors to hit the library. One woman, from Washington D.C., said she had spent the afternoon in the Winthrop House library, working on a term paper on "Immigration's Effect on the Progressive Era in the 20th Century."

Many students said they were still unsure if Harvard would be first choice, although many indicated that the size of financial aid packages would have a bearing on their decision.

Today students will attend classes: hear discussions on freshman year and financial aid led by top-ranking deans, tour the Fogg Art Museum, and participate in receptions with tutors and faculty in the Houses.