More high school seniors will compete for places in next year's freshman class than ever before, Fred L. Glimp '50, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid indicated yesterday.

He estimated that over 5600 students --nearly 400 more than in any past year --will apply for the 1200 openings. To date 5312 admission requests have been submitted. This compares with 4787 for this time last year, out of a final total of 5167.

This year is the first time since 1960 that applications have risen sharply. For the past three years the total has held the line between 5000 and 5200. However, as early as 1962. Glimp had announced that he expected a 15 per cent increase by 1965.

The rise apparently stems from the wave of war babies who are now reaching college age. The "baby boom" is also being reflected at Radcliffe, where Mrs. Margaret W. Stimpson, Director of Admissions, recently reported a ten per cent rise in applications.

There has also been increases in both the number and the per cent of applicants requesting financial aid. Last year 2760 students--or about 53 per cent--asked for scholarships or loans.

This year, 2944--or 55 per cent--have requested financial aid. However, this percentage figure is expected to rise, since most late applicants also request financial assistance.

Glimp said that two special problems confront the Admission and Scholarship Committee this year. The first stems from the larger proportion of aid requests expected from those who apply.

The second is a result of the $240 tuition rise from $1520 to $1760. This means that not only freshman awards will have to be increased, but upperclass stipends also must be raised to compensate for the increase.

Earlier this month, Humphrey Doermann '52, Director of Admissions suggested that improved contacts with schools containing students from lower income had contributed greatly to the increase in scholarship requests.

Although the official deadline for applying is Jan 1, Glimp said that late applications are considered up until the Committee meets in mid-March, so that "no boy who belongs here" will be denied a Harvard education.