Keeping College Options Open: A Field Experiment to Help all High School Seniors Through the College Application Process
该研究通过在学校课程中嵌入申请协助，帮助低升学率学校的高三学生完成大学申请和助学金申请，使整体大学申请率提高15个百分点，入学率提高5个百分点，尤其对未修高级课程的学生效果显著。
Abstract Recent research suggests that the college application process itself prevents access. This paper reports results from a school‐based experiment in which application assistance is incorporated into the high school curriculum for all graduating seniors at low‐transition schools. Over three workshops, students were guided to pick programs of interest that they were eligible for, apply for real, and complete the financial aid application. The goal was to create a real college option for exiting students to make the transition easier and more salient. Among all graduating seniors, the program increased application rates by 15 percentage points, and college going rates by 5 percentage points. Among those not taking advanced‐level courses, college enrollment increased by 9 percentage points. The program generated significant effects for a wide range of heterogeneous groups, including both males and females, those from urban and rural schools, and those with above and below average grades. While more intensive than other tested approaches, in‐class application assistance may provide a more effective approach for bridging the gap towards higher education.