"It is easy enough to switch concentrations ifthat is necessary," he says.
Nathans agrees and suggests that first-yearsoften view choosing a concentration toofatalistically "as somehow determining what onewill do for the ensuing six decades of one'slife."
Despite the fact that many students doultimately change their concentrations, both Toddand Nathans say they believe the act of committingto a set of concentration requirements andbeginning a sophomore tutorial is academicallybeneficial.
Finding A Place
The stresses of the process aside, studentswill declare their concentrations next month. Anddepartments have to prepare to welcome theirnewest members.
The literature concentration recently placed aquarter-page advertisement in The Crimson,encouraging first-years to drop by its offices topick up application forms and ask questions or toattend an open house "for dessert and a chance tolearn more about the concentration."
Sandra A. Naddaff '75, director of studies inthe literature concentration, says in an e-mailmessage that she placed the advertisement to makestudents aware of the possibility of concentratingin literature.
"Students might immediately think toinvestigate the English department, or a nationalliterature department, [but] might not so readilybe aware of the possibility of concentrating inliterature," she says.
Naddaff says the ad was not an attempt to"recruit" students and notes that "literature hasdoubled in size over the past three years or so."
The economics department, as the departmentwith the largest number of undergraduateconcentrators, faces a very different set ofcircumstances.
Far from needing to make students aware of thepossibility of concentrating in economics, thedepartment regularly has an incredible number ofstudents flock to it.
Already, 36 members of the class of 2001selected economics as their advanced standingconcentration.
William J. Collins '93, a member of theeconomics department's tutorial staff, says enoughstudents express interest in the department andtake advantage of the advising structure that hebelieves the system is working well.
"Students come to us for information and wemake ourselves available," he says.
But that may not be enough to assuage students'anxieties as May 4 approaches.