But according to Sanchez, they are waiting until they graduate to get married.

"People say you know when you know, and we knew when we knew. There comes a point when you know you want to spend your life with one person," says Sanchez, a former officer of the Harvard-Radcliffe Catholic Student Center. "[Ours] was always a completely unique relationship. Everything was sincere. He wasn't playing games with me, and I wasn't playing games with him."

While some of the couples say it is relatively easy being engaged at Harvard, others assert there is little support or real understanding among their peers.

According to McLean, many of his and Belliveau's friends are mutual, so they do not regard the situation as strange. "A lot of our friends were on the Ride [for Life] and they've seen us come together. Although when we go out with Kim and Eric [Sanchez and Thompson], others who are single feel left out," he claims.

Many undergraduates cannot relate to the commitment she has to her fiance, says Rafinski, a psychology major from Chicago. "A lot of people have said `I can't even comprehend. There's no way I'd feel ready.' But I feel that I'm ready."

"[John] and I have similar interests; we combine our social lives. But if John doesn't want to do things, I may go out with my girl friends," she adds.

Just Begun

To be engaged is not socially acceptable at Harvard, Sanchez believes. "People look at us like we're from outer space. Most of the people I know can't imagine making that commitment or being ready to take that step while they're in school.

"But I say don't be afraid of making that commitment. Engagement is not a narrowing device. I don't know why people have that feeling. It's just a beginning."