Telling the truth may not pay off: an empirical study of centralised university admissions in Germany

Arbeitspapier

We investigate the matching algorithm used by the German central clearinghouse for university admissions (ZVS) in medicine and related subjects. This mechanism consists of three procedures based on final grades from school (Abiturbestenverfahren, Auswahlverfahren der Hochschulen) and on waiting time (Wartezeitverfahren). While these procedures differ in the criteria applied for admission they all make use of priority matching. In priority matching schemes, it is not a dominant strategy for students to submit their true preferences. Thus, strategic behaviour is expected. Using the full data set of applicants, we are able to detect some amount of strategic behaviour which can lead to inefficient matching. Alternative ways to organize the market are briefly discussed.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: DIW Discussion Papers ; No. 759

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Bargaining Theory; Matching Theory ; Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact ; Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation ; Education: Other
• Subject: Matching ; university admissions ; strategic behaviour ; Studienfach ; Berufswahl ; Zentrale Organisation ; Matching ; Spieltheorie ; Deutschland

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Braun, Sebastian ; Dwenger, Nadja ; Kübler, Dorothea
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW)
• (where): Berlin
• (when): 2007

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/27283
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET