Student gender, counselor gender, and college advice

Abstract

ABSTRACTA gender gap currently exists in college STEM majors, with a lower percentage of females entering math intensive fields. One possible explanation is the advice students receive in high school. We conduct a survey of high school guidance counselors, soliciting their advice regarding hypothetical high school students’ college and major choices. We find counselors are more likely to believe outstanding female students will be successful at our selective college than outstanding male students, but are still less likely to recommend math majors to any female students.