Speaker: Eddie Kim, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Bentley University 

Title: “Selection Robust Inferences with Minimal Information”

Abstract:

According to evidence presented during SFFA vs. Harvard College, Asian applicants to Harvard received lower ‘Personal Ratings’ in general than applicants of other racial/ethnic groups. This observation was often interpreted as proof of racial discrimination. However, by reasonable estimates, Asian students were about seven times as likely to apply to Harvard in the first place, which naturally widens the observed portion of Asians’ distribution tail. By leveraging the minimal context information available, a parametric bootstrap approach reveals that the observed difference in ‘Personal Ratings’ is entirely attributable to sample selection behavior, and, if anything, suggests discrimination for, not against, Asian applicants. 

This event is part of the Mathematical Sciences Research Seminar Series.