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Divergent: The Time Path of Legacy and Athlete Admissions at Harvard

Author

Listed:
  • Peter Arcidiacono
  • Josh Kinsler
  • Tyler Ransom

Abstract

We examine how increased admissions competition at elite U.S. colleges has affected the admissions advantage that legacies and athletes (LA) receive. Using 18 years of Harvard admissions data, we show that nonlegacy, nonathlete (NLNA) applications expanded, while LA applications remained flat. Yet, the share of LA admits remained stable, implying substantial increases in LA admissions advantages. These facts imply a strong degree of complementarity in the number of LA admits and overall admit quality. If the admissions advantages for LA applicants had been constant throughout this period, there would have been a large increase in the number of minority admits.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Arcidiacono & Josh Kinsler & Tyler Ransom, 2024. "Divergent: The Time Path of Legacy and Athlete Admissions at Harvard," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(3), pages 653-683.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:3:p:653-683
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0421-11641R1
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    Cited by:

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    2. Peter Arcidiacono & Josh Kinsler & Tyler Ransom, 2022. "Legacy and Athlete Preferences at Harvard," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 40(1), pages 133-156.
    3. Arcidiacono, Peter & Kinsler, Josh & Ransom, Tyler, 2022. "Recruit to reject? Harvard and African American applicants," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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