Analyzing the Impact of College Choices on Student Trajectories

This chapter examines how admission cutoffs in SAT and ACT scores at public universities create a natural experiment to evaluate the impact of college choices on students' trajectories. It considers the outcomes for marginal applicants in the college admissions process, discussing their struggles, dropout rates, debt burdens, and societal returns on investment in their education. The study's findings reveal significant boosts in bachelor's degree completion rates and earnings trajectories for marginally admitted students compared to those rejected, supporting the benefits of college education in the long run.