How Far Can Inclusion Go? The Long-Term Impacts of Preferential College Admissions

This working paper examines the long-term effects of preferential college admissions policies on educational attainment, labor market outcomes, and social mobility. Using empirical evidence from higher education admissions systems, the authors analyze how affirmative and inclusion-oriented admission policies shape students’ academic trajectories and later-life outcomes. The study contributes to debates on equity, meritocracy, and access to higher education by assessing both the benefits and potential tradeoffs associated with preferential admissions policies.