Work

The economics of encouragement: Can a simple email shape major choice?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We examine the impact of encouragement emails sent to high-performing students in a principles of microeconomics course at a large state university, aimed at motivating them to take additional economics courses and consider an economics major or minor. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find some evidence of an increase in the likelihood of enrolling in intermediate microeconomics, especially for first-generation college students and underrepresented minorities, but limited effects on major switching or declaring an economics minor. Our findings suggest sustained interventions may be necessary to produce lasting effects.

Source: Economics of Education Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2025.102680

Authors: Olivia Edwards, Jonathan Meer

Institution: Texas A&M University

Language: English

Topic: Higher Education Research Studies

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,700