Research

• University-affiliated Schools and Student Achievement: Evidence from Randomized Admissions in Brazil

Abstract: University-affiliated schools employ highly qualified faculty and operate within university campuses, yet despite being a well-established educational model worldwide, their effectiveness remains largely unstudied. I exploit randomized admissions at eight Brazilian schools to estimate causal effects on student outcomes. Using novel data linking 51,114 lottery applications to college records, I employ an instrumental variable approach where lottery results serve as an instrument for enrollment. Results show a 0.13 standard deviation improvement in college entrance exam scores, a 6.2 percentage point increase in college admission probability, and evidence that treated students more effectively exploit subject-weighting systems in college applications. However, major and university choices are not significantly affected. Analysis of score distributions suggests that the intervention primarily affects low- and medium-performing students. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that effects are concentrated among middle-income students (with household income of 1.5 to 5 minimum wages), with minimal effects for both the poorest and wealthiest families. These findings suggest that while university-affiliated schools can meaningfully enhance student performance, their benefits may be contingent on household resources.