Firstborns are more likely to go to college.

• A. Firstborn children are more likely to go to college.
• B. Firstborn children are less likely to go to college.
• C. Birth order has no effect on education.
• D. Only children are more likely than firstborns.

Answer: (A)

Birth order's impact on educational outcomes is being tested. Firstborn children are more likely to go to college because parents typically invest more resources and provide more guidance for the first child, including time for helping with homework, encouragement to pursue higher education, and financial planning for college before younger siblings arrive. This greater parental investment helps develop stronger study habits and college-bound behaviors earlier, which can translate into a higher likelihood of attending college later. As families grow and resources are spread thinner, opportunities for college prep and support can diminish for later-born children. The overall effect is usually small and influenced by factors like family income and parental education, but the pattern commonly shows a modest advantage for firstborns. Statements suggesting no effect or that only children are more likely aren’t aligned with the typical findings.