Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/33925 
Year of Publication: 
2007
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 2833
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
In this paper we investigate whether peers' behavior influences the choice of college major. Using a unique dataset of students at Bocconi University and exploiting the organization of teaching at this institution, we are able to identify the endogenous effect of peers on such decision through a novel identification strategy which solves the common econometric problems of studies of social interactions. Results show that, indeed, one is more likely to choose a major when many of her peers make the same choice. We estimate that, when it diverts students from majors in which they seem to have a relative ability advantage, this effect leads to lower average grades and graduation mark, a penalty that could cost up to 1,117 USD a year in the labor market
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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