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Research ArticleResearch Article

Timing Matters: Evidence from College Major Decisions

Richard W. Patterson, Nolan G. Pope and Aaron Feudo
Published online before print May 13, 2021, 0820-11127R1; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.59.2.0820-11127R1
Richard W. Patterson
*United States Military Academy, IZA, and CESifo, B117 Lincoln Hall, West Point, NY 10996.
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Nolan G. Pope
*University of Maryland, 3114 Tydings Hall, 7343 Preinkert Dr., College Park, MD 20742.
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Aaron Feudo
*Department of Social Sciences, United States Military Academy, B103B Lincoln Hall, West Point, NY 10996.
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Abstract

People rely on their experiences when making important decisions. In making these decisions, individuals may be significantly influenced by the timing of their experiences. Using administrative data, we study whether the order in which students are assigned courses affects the choice of college major. We use a natural experiment at the United States Military Academy in which students are randomly assigned to certain courses either during or after the semester in which they are required to select their college major. We find that when students are assigned to a course in the same semester as they select a major, they are over 100 percent more likely to choose a major that corresponds to that course. Despite low switching costs, approximately half of the effect persists through graduation. Our results demonstrate that the timing of when students are assigned courses has a large and persistent effect on college major choice. We explore several potential mechanisms for these results and find that students’ initial major best fits an availability bias framework and the persistence of the effect until graduation is consistent with status quo bias.

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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Timing Matters: Evidence from College Major Decisions
Richard W. Patterson, Nolan G. Pope, Aaron Feudo
Journal of Human Resources May 2021, 0820-11127R1; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.59.2.0820-11127R1

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Timing Matters: Evidence from College Major Decisions
Richard W. Patterson, Nolan G. Pope, Aaron Feudo
Journal of Human Resources May 2021, 0820-11127R1; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.59.2.0820-11127R1
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