The professors, besides teaching side by side during bridge periods, also get together to map out the year-long coordinated for first-year students Similarly students work together more closely in the Experimental Section. Rakoff says And almost all seem to enjoy it more, despite a slightly work load.

According to the Michelman Interim Report, 74 percent of the students in the Experimental Section last year gave the overall program the highest possible rating. Only 4 percent rated it average or below average.

And the popularity of Section I. Michelman "is the same this year as last" Barr agrees "I haven't heard anything of students who haven't liked it," he says. "And I'm really impressed."

A student sample in The Harvard Law School Record, the student newspaper, also showed almost universal enthusiasm for the Experimental Section.

But both students and professors say that the traditional curriculm still provides for effective teaching. "Experimental sections wouldn't work with dominating, rock-star professors." Anderson says. He praises the interplay of Section I professors, adding. "Two are less hierarchical than one."

Rakoff agrees that certain professors styles and personalities might not work well in the Experimental Program, and says that having two Experimental Sections next year will be the real test," because it will show whether the success of the current program is a function of professional style or structural superiority.

Students generally concur "In order for the section to work, you have professors that want to make it work." says a student.

Professors are therefore unsure about the long term future of the program, and are hesitant to say whether they behave the Experimental Program with become the model for all first-year students. "I'd like to see [the first-year program] go to the experimental model if it's useful to all the people." Rakoff says.

Michelman is even less sure about the ultimate growth of the Experimental Program "I don't think I'm prepared to take a shot at that one," he says.

Like all experiments, the Law School's Experimental Program will undergo thorough scrutiny before any conclusive results are reached. Until then, says Michelman. "I think we've got a lot more to learn."