Featured Article
Jurajda, Š., and D. Münich. “Admission to Selective Schools, Alphabetically.” Economics of Education Review.
Štěpán Jurajda, and Daniel Münich
CERGE-EI, Charles University Prague and Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Politických vězňů 7, Prague 111 21, Czech Republic
Received 30 March 2009; revised 13 April 2010; accepted 8 June 2010. Available online 17 June 2010.
Abstract
One's position in an alphabetically sorted list may be important in determining access to over-subscribed public services. Motivated by anecdotal evidence, we investigate the importance of the position in the alphabet of Czech students for their admission chances into over-subscribed schools. Empirical evidence based on the population of students graduating from secondary schools and applying to universities is consistent with the use of alphabet in admission procedures at both secondary and tertiary level, implying potential inefficiency in the matching of students with universities.
Keywords: Admissions; Alphabetical order; Serial position; Order effects
