The Effect of Age at School Entry on College Admission and Earnings: A Regression-Discontinuity Approach

Abstract

This paper provides evidence of the effect of age at school entry on college admission. We do so by exploiting a number of features in the application process to one of the major flagship universities in Brazil. By comparing applicants with different ages at school entry depending on whether they are born on December 31st or on January 1st, our estimates show that delaying first-grade enrollment by one year increases the aptitude test score and the probability of admission. Our results further suggest that the difference in the likelihood of admission is driven by candidates’ learning ability at primary school, rather than by their knowledge accumulated prior to school entry or their maturity on the date of the admission exam. Finally, advantaged applicants also receive higher earnings early in their careers.

Keywords: School starting age; school achievement; college admission; aptitude test score

JEL Classification: I21, J24