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An analysis of the German university admissions system

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  • Alexander Westkamp

Abstract

This paper analyzes the sequential admissions procedure for medical subjects at public universities in Germany. Complete information equilibrium outcomes are shown to be characterized by a stability condition that is adapted to the institutional constraints of the German system. I introduce matching problems with complex constraints and the notion of procedural stability. Two simple assumptions guarantee existence of a student optimal procedurally stable matching mechanism that is strategyproof for students. In the context of the German admissions problem, this mechanism weakly Pareto dominates all equilibrium outcomes of the currently employed procedure. Applications to school choice with affirmative action are also discussed. Copyright Springer-Verlag 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Westkamp, 2013. "An analysis of the German university admissions system," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 53(3), pages 561-589, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joecth:v:53:y:2013:i:3:p:561-589
    DOI: 10.1007/s00199-012-0704-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    University admissions; Matching; Stability; Strategyproofness; Complex constraints; C78; D02;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C78 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Bargaining Theory; Matching Theory
    • D02 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact

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