Working Paper: NBER ID: w23442
Authors: Rodney J. Andrews; John Thompson
Abstract: The competitive application process is the traditional path to gain access to selective public universities. There is little research on alternative pathways to gain access to selective public universities. In this manuscript, we use the fuzzy regression discontinuity design to study the impact of transferring to the University of Texas at Austin. We find that gaining access via this path has an impact on choice of major, financial aid, and earnings.
Keywords: Coordinated Admissions Program; Higher Education Access; College Transfer; Regression Discontinuity Design
JEL Codes: I21; I22; I26; J24
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| GPA threshold for transfer eligibility (I23) | transfer likelihood (F16) |
| transfer likelihood (F16) | graduation within 4, 5, or 6 years (A23) |
| transfer likelihood (F16) | cumulative GPA (C68) |
| transfer to UT Austin via CAP (R00) | likelihood of majoring in economics and social sciences (A12) |
| transfer to UT Austin via CAP (R00) | likelihood of majoring in business or STEM fields (M19) |
| transfer to UT Austin via CAP (R00) | amount of financial aid received (I22) |
| transfer to UT Austin via CAP (R00) | cost of attendance (I22) |
| CAP transfers (F38) | graduation rates and earnings (I21) |