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Centralized Admission and the Student-College Match

Author

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  • Machado, Cecilia

    (Getulio Vargas Foundation, Brazil)

  • Szerman, Christiane

    (University College London)

Abstract

Decentralized assignments in the education market have been increasingly replaced by centralized ones. However, empirical evidence on these transitions are scarce. This paper examines the adoption of centralized admissions in the Brazilian higher education market. Using rich administrative data, we exploit time variation in the adoption of a clearinghouse across institutions to investigate its impact on student sorting, migration and enrollment. We find that institutions under the centralized assignment are able to attract students with substantially higher test scores and that geographical mobility of admitted students increases. While there are no sizable effects on final enrollment rates, search is intensified. Overall, our findings indicate positive impacts of centralization on the college market.

Suggested Citation

  • Machado, Cecilia & Szerman, Christiane, 2016. "Centralized Admission and the Student-College Match," IZA Discussion Papers 10251, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10251
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    2. Thilo Klein & Robert Aue & Josue Ortega, 2020. "School choice with independent versus consolidated districts," Papers 2006.13209, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2024.
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    8. Perihan O. Saygin, 2020. "Gender bias in standardized tests: evidence from a centralized college admissions system," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 59(2), pages 1037-1065, August.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    test scores; college admission; centralized matching; higher education; migration; enrollment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D47 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Market Design
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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