RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Divergent
JF Journal of Human Resources
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 653
OP 683
DO 10.3368/jhr.0421-11641R1
VO 59
IS 3
A1 Arcidiacono, Peter
A1 Kinsler, Josh
A1 Ransom, Tyler
YR 2024
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/59/3/653.abstract
AB 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.