The Economics of Encouragement: Can A Simple Email Shape Major Choice?

Olivia Edwards and Jonathan Meer

No 33676, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

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

JEL-codes: I21 I24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-04
Note: ED LS
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