The Radcliffe Forum recently offered 35 students, 15 more than last year, a chance to observe the professional work of Radcliffe alumnae in the spring "externship" program during the spring recess.

The students will work as volunteers for alumnae in professions ranging from anaesthesiology in Vermont to fiction writing in Ireland, Jamie Murray, staff assistant at the Radcliffe Forum, said yesterday.

The Radcliffe Class of '47 initiated the program last year to "give students the opportunity to live with friends and alumnae of Radcliffe College and to learn first hand about their professions," Murray said. Forty students applied for the jobs.

The Forum offered 60 positions this year, three times more than last year, Murray said.

Students with experience in the field in which they apply are often not given an "externship" in that field, Murray said. "We want students who will really learn something new," she added.

The Radcliffe Club of New York helped expand the program this year by requesting that alumnae from New York offer "extern" positions.

The Forum selected three of four male "extern" applicants, Murray said. "We're giving preference to women because the program was started by the Radcliffe Class of '47," she added.

Kathering E. Lo '80, an "extern" who worked with a juvenile court judge last year, said yesterday she observed the life of a court judge as well as "saw what it was like to take care of kids and cook for a husband and family."

Patricia A. Rogers '80, who plans to assist the features editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, said yesterday "I can't really decide whether I'd like to go into book or magazine publishing and I thought this might be a good way to find out."