A study by Harvard Economics professor Claudia Goldin showed that in an introductory economics course, women are more likely than men to switch majors due to grades. Women who received A’s are more likely to stay in economics and the likelihood decreases for women who receive A-‘s and below. Male A and B students are equally likely to stay in the subject. At the C level, men are 4 times more likely than women to major in economics. A woman’s grades become a good indicator of whether or not she will be an economics major.

Less than a third of those graduating with a bachelor’s in economics are women and the study suggests that a higher percentage start out in the subject. It is unlikely then that a woman is pushed out of studying economics by underperforming in comparison to her male colleagues but is intimidated for other reasons such as lack of knowledge of career fields in economics or disconnect from her primarily male professors. Maybe she wishes to only graduate in a subject she will excel in and maybe the fulfillment of this wish is necessary for her success.

Judging by my own undergraduate experience, it would not be surprising if women feel they need to rise above their male colleagues in academics just to remain competitive. The grade is in the woman’s full control and segregated from other forms of competition. If she solves a problem and comes to the correct solution, her work is not discounted by the fact that she is female. If she consistently performs strongly, no one will say “well she handled that problem well but this next problem may be too strenuous.” She will not receive separate assignments or special treatment unless she asks for it. A 300 person lecture hall is a haven where she can just be a name on an answer sheet. Once she starts looking for a job and working, everything is fair game. College women have a few years before they even enter the workplace and it would be unfortunate if they are already sensing their impending disadvantages.