Cutting through the Complexity: Why Not a Lottery for College Admissions?
Many prominent social scientists have advocated for random-draw lotteries as a solution to the “problem” of college admissions. They argue that lotteries will be fair and equitable, eliminate corruption, reduce student anxiety, restore democratic ideals, and end debates over race-conscious admissions. In response, we simulate potential lottery effects on U.S. student enrollment by race, gender, and income, using robust simulation methods. If we went to a lottery system, what would happen to student diversity? And how could this change the built relationship between students and selective colleges?
Date: 4 November 2025, 14:00
Venue: Teams, online
Speaker: Michael Bastedo (University of Michigan)
Organising department: Department of Education
Organiser: David Mills (University of Oxford)
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://www.researchcghe.org/events/cutting-through-the-complexity-why-not-a-lottery-for-college-admissions/
Cost: Free
Audience: Public
Editor: Kristina Khoo