In choosing a college, many students see the issue of class size as one of the most important in their search for a fulfilling education. Most high schoolers and their parents assume that smaller classes necessarily translates into better teaching.

And despite its undeniable prestige, Harvard has come under fire from outside observers, who charge the College with an excess of large, impersonal lecture classes and inaccessible professors.

But according to Harvard faculty members, the anonymity of large classes is offset by the teaching ability of the engaging and charismatic big name professors who generally preside over big lecture courses. Because these professors are both talented and well-known, they draw more students each time the class is offered. Many faculty members feel that it is unfair to bar students from benefiting from such classes.

"I hate it when anything is limited at Harvard," Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 wrote in an e-mail message. "It is so hard to get in to this place, all students should have access to everything without a further selection process, except of course by prerequisites and the knowledge needed to participate usefully."

"Some courses are large," says Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles. "I'm not going to legislate to say that a large number of students can't enjoy a charismatic lecturer."

But how big is too big? The key to enjoying the most beneficial education at Harvard lies in finding the correct balance between large and small classes. Large classes may be better known--and therefore tempting to students--but a full load of courses taught in Sanders Theatre may leave some students feeling lost in the crowd. On the other hand, students who scrupulously avoid large lecture classes may never have the chance to be in a course taught by one of Harvard's academic superstars.

The College offers classes at both extremes, and in general the most satisfied students take advantage of both large and small classes.

Does Size Really Matter?