November 23, 2007

Is Bigger Any Better?

By ELIZABETH F. FARRELL

Some elite private institutions may expand in response to record numbers of applicants

Admissions deans have perfected the wistful tone of regret. In rejection letters, they talk of wrestling with "difficult decisions" and having "so many more qualified applicants than space." Harvard University's dean of undergraduate admission wrote last year that he wished "it were possible for us to admit more of our fine applicants."

To the rejected, those words often ring hollow. After

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