Abstract:

We study the efficiency and equity implications of address manipulation in school choice.  Combining Danish survey data and administrative records we provide evidence of strategic address changes among high school applicants. We exploit policy variation and study mobility patterns to verify that these moves are likely to be driven by incentives to increase chances for admission to preferred high schools, and unlikely to be driven by other motives. Finally, we investigate, both theoretically and empirically, how this behavior affects efficiency and increases inequality in school choice mechanisms.