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Can Affirmative Action Affect Major Choice?

Author

Listed:
  • Fernanda Estevan

    (Sao Paulo School of Economics - FGV)

  • Thomas Gall

    (University of Southampton)

  • Louis-Philippe Morin

    (University of Ottawa)

Abstract

Around the world, students from a disadvantaged background are underrepresented in prestigious and lucrative fields of study, such as medicine and STEM. We know little about whether universities can affect individuals’ major choice and promote increased social mobility. In this paper, we provide evidence that universities can change individuals’ choice of major. We use a natural experiment that expanded the set of majors to which lower SES applicants could be admitted. We find that this change in policy, which was implemented at a very selective university, increased the likelihood of lower SES students to apply for, and get accepted to more prestigious majors.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernanda Estevan & Thomas Gall & Louis-Philippe Morin, 2019. "Can Affirmative Action Affect Major Choice?," Boston University - Department of Economics - The Institute for Economic Development Working Papers Series dp-324, Boston University - Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bos:iedwpr:dp-324
    as

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    File URL: http://www.bu.edu/econ/files/2019/05/Unicamp_Career_May_16_2019.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Fernanda Estevan & Lucas Finamor, 2022. "School closures and educational path: how the Covid-19 pandemic affected transitions to college," Papers 2210.00138, arXiv.org.

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