Admissions Dean Cools Some Freshmen Fears

William R. Fitzsimmons '67 became more than a well-known signature to some Harvard freshmen when the Director of Undergraduate Admissions visited a group of yardlings this week.

At an evening study break in Grays East, Fitzsimmons sought to allay what he said is a common freshmen fear of the "admissions mistake." Fitzsimmons said that new students "often question the legitimacy of their place at Harvard when they are surrounded by so many exceptional people. They wonder how they slipped in."

Fitzsimmons assured students that most folders had been read by at least three members of the admissions staff, and that some decisions on students required as much as three hours of discussion.

Fitzsimmons described the admissions process as "long and painstaking." He said that thorough readings, an appointed advocate for each applicant, and extensive discussion remove any element of chance from the procedure.

"If you get in, you're meant to be here," the longtime admissions officer told a group of about 25 students.

Fitzsimmons downplayed the importance of test scores in admissions decisions, saying the University has no fixed cutoff.

Students from Grays East were enthusiastic about Fitzsimmon's visit. "He was very open about the admissions process," said Grays resident Steve Karan '91.

The dark details, however, might have been too much for some. Jared Freedman '91 said, "I'm glad I didn't know all that before I applied. I would have been too scared."