Indeed, the selection process seems to depend primarily on the connections one has within the club.

Each club member is allowed to "punch" one person every semester to join the club. The members submit letters of recommendation to club officers explaining why the individual would be a good addition to the club.

After this stage, the club invites all candidates to a massive cocktail party. During the fete, each candidate must get three club officers and another member to sign a form in order to continue the punch.

The candidates then attend an open house party at the club so more members can meet them.

During the next three days, members drop off formal letters of recommendation for the punchees. The club officers evaluate the candidates and make final decisions.

Petschek and Fuhrmann describe the entire process as an "informal, non-stressful experience."

But there are those who beg to differ.

One woman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, recalls her experience in this fall's punch with disgust.

"Everyone there seemed like they were youngsters playing at being adults," she says, describing the initial cocktail party as "a nightmare." She says she felt uncomfortable in the club's "extremely socially aware environment."

The woman, a first-year student from Europe, says the club represented the pretentious scene she was hoping to flee when she came to America.

She says that everyone at the Pudding party had "accents of some sort or other."

Although the Club has become less WASPy and old-wealth-oriented, many students say it has not become any less elitist.

One student with strong opinions about the club says the change in the club membership merely reflects a shift in criteria. Students are now judged on looks and a certain social grace rather than on wealth and prep-school background, she says.

But Petschek emphasizes the individuality of all of the members. She says candidates are judged on "a certain strength of character" and personality.

She says the only reason the club restricts membership to 225 people is that the club's charter requires it.