Ethan R. Mollick '97, who is concentrating in science, technology and public policy, will take courses in the government, economics and engineering departments and at the Kennedy School as well.

"You can use all of Harvard's resources to do something wonderful," he says.

Fields of special concentration range from Latin American studies to computer and information technology, from writing for performance to computational neuroscience.

The special concentrations cater mainly to two types of students, says Garth O. McCavana, head tutor of the special concentrations.

They are "students interested in doing a concentration that may exist somewhere else that doesn't exist at Harvard," he says, and "people who just want to do interdisciplinary work."

Difficult Application

Special concentrations offer choice and flexibility the rest of Harvard can't, but the University makes it difficult for undergraduates to pursue them.

"It's a nine-part application process," McCavana says. "About 50 percent of the people who come in here do not reappear after I hand them the application."

Students begin the process by going to McCavana with an idea. He gives them the application form.

They then prepare two plans of study, one for the proposed special concentration and a contingency plan if they are denied.

"It is sort of challenging, because of the fact that the department actually asks you to give them the plan of study in your concentration, and also an alternative plan of study," Adomanis says.

Applicants also need a reference from a tutor or proctor, and statement of support from the departments most closely related to the proposed field of study.

Then, the student must find an advisor to guide him or her for all three years in the concentration.

For most students, this is the hardest part, since most faculty members have little incentive to take on charges outside their departments. The Faculty gives professors no compensation for serving as advisors, McCavana says.

"This is purely extra responsibility for the faculty advisor," he says.