Sharaf agrees with this theory, and says thatshe has seen a rise in alumni applicants--peoplewho don't apply as undergraduates, but whodiscover medicine after a few years, or evenanother career.

"They have something unique to offer--which isthat by applying to med schools at an older age,they are showing a deep commitment," Sharaf says."They are showing that they've thought it through,and that they want to go to medical school."

Burstein says he has also noticed this trendwithin his house, as well as in Harvard as awhole. He says that about one third of the lettershe writes are for alumni.

Pre-med students at Harvard say they areaware of the sweeping nationwide trends, and arerethinking their strategies for applying tomedical schools.

"It puts more pressure on you, knowing thatthere are so many people applying," says Brian D.Saunders '96.

Things are not going to change, and it makes ituncertain whether I'm going to apply at all," hesays.

Saunders says that he was drawn to medicine byhis interest in the natural sciences, as well as adesire to work with people. "It's an idealprofession for me," he says.

But while some are feeling this burden, otherssay they are not affected by it.

"I've never been 100 percent sure about goinginto medicine, but the recent numbers haven'taffected my decision," says Hetts.

"It's in the back of my mind that there are alot of other people applying," says Erick P. Chan'95, "but it really comes down to me, and what Ido."

"I feel that if I work and do my best, thatthings will work out fine," Chan says.

Pre-med advisors, in an attempt to deal withthe rising numbers of applicants, are adopting newadvising strategies.

"The type of student who used to be a shoo-inis no longer guaranteed of anything," says Taylor,the Leverett tutor.

"We advise our students to apply to moreschools, and to apply to a broader range ofschools," he says. "The kind of school that usedto be a `safety' just isn't so anymore."

"Because so many more people are applying, thenumber of `safeties' has gone down--it's just alot harder these days," says Taylor.