(The CRIMSON invites all men in the University to submit signed communications of timely interest. It assumes no responsibility, however, for sentiments expressed under this head and reserves the right to exclude any whose publication would be palpably inappropriate.)

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

Two somewhat divergent views upon the problem of enrollment limitation have been placed before the University. To many who have discussed the problem there has occurred a third possible solution which, while a policy is yet being formulated, might well be considered. It is briefly, intending to set that "absolute standard" which is essential, to admit only those who pass the New Plan comprehensive examinations in June. In regard to those who fail to pass a June examination or those who come in under the one seventh provision, the conclusions of the CRIMSON seem soundest.

Merely as an examination of a candidate's background of acquired facts and his ability to correlate them, the New Plan has decided advantages. To cram during a few weeks previous to the examination upon material studied during approximately four years' preparation is well-nigh impossible, or so it seems to those faced by divisionals; whereas the Old Plan, resembling more in character our final examinations, permits, as the tutoring schools prove, cramming. To pass the comprehensive examination, the sub-Freshmen must have that grasp of what facts he has acquired presupposed of a candidate for his college degree.

But the New Plan demands more than a knowledge of facts; there is included in it a psychological test and a very satisfactory cultural examination. Upon the last examination the candidate was asked to condense a long paragraph into a few sentences, and questions appeared which would also test his general reading knowledge of literature. Upon the history examination was a question calling both for some knowledge of the past history of Europe, but also enabling the candidate to show what reading he had done upon very recent history. This sort of question is a good criterion of the general mental equipment of the candidate, might even be more emphasized, and provide a basis for deciding doubtful cases.

Finally, the New Plan incorporates an invaluable record of the candidate's activities for several years before his entrance to college. His preparatory school record, whether at a private or public school, should reveal any of those qualities which may yet be immature. Granting that standards vary, a quality such as leadership would nevertheless appear in such a record. There must also be a recommendation from the headmaster or principal of the school. This too may be based upon a slightly varying standard, but is a very valuable supplement to the other tests provided by the New Plan.

The New Plan is indeed comprehensive, and applied to everyone could be used to test more fairly and more completely a candidate's fitness for the advantages and the responsibilities of a college education at Harvard. DONALD H. WALLACE '24.   W. WHITTEMORE '24.