Unequal Choices: How Social Class Shapes Where High-Achieving Students Apply to College

High-achieving students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to end up at less selective institutions due to a lack of application to selective institutions, family upbringing, and personal experiences. This reinforces social inequality, as institutions and families of the middle and upper-middle class work to procure advantages for their children.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 156 pages
Publication date: 17 March 2023
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

High-achieving students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to end up at less selective institutions compared to their socioeconomically advantaged peers with similar academic qualifications. This is due to a variety of factors, including a lack of awareness of the benefits of attending selective institutions, a lack of access to resources and support, and cultural and societal expectations that prioritize traditional career paths over higher education.

A key reason for this is that few highly able, socioeconomically disadvantaged students apply to selective institutions in the first place. In her book, Unequal Choices, Yang Va Lor examines the college application choices of high-achieving students, looking closely at the ways the larger contexts of family, school, and community influence their decisions. For students today, contexts like high schools and college preparation programs shape the type of colleges that they deem appropriate, while family upbringing and personal experiences influence how far from home students imagine they can apply to college. Additionally, several mechanisms reinforce the reproduction of social inequality, showing how institutions and families of the middle and upper-middle class work to procure advantages by cultivating dispositions among their children for specific types of higher education opportunities.

One of the primary factors contributing to the unequal distribution of college applications among socioeconomically disadvantaged students is a lack of awareness of the benefits of attending selective institutions. Many students from low-income backgrounds may not be aware of the opportunities that selective colleges can provide, such as access to top-notch faculty, specialized research programs, and a wide range of extracurricular activities. As a result, they may be discouraged from applying to these institutions, even if they have the academic qualifications to succeed.

Another factor that contributes to the unequal distribution of college applications is a lack of access to resources and support. Students from low-income backgrounds may not have access to the same level of counseling and guidance services as their more affluent peers, which can make it difficult for them to navigate the college application process and make informed decisions. Additionally, students from low-income backgrounds may not have the same level of financial resources to support their college applications, such as tuition assistance, scholarships, and grants.

Cultural and societal expectations also play a role in the unequal distribution of college applications among socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Many families from low-income backgrounds may prioritize traditional career paths over higher education, believing that a college degree is not necessary for success in life. Additionally, some cultural and societal norms may discourage students from pursuing higher education, such as the belief that it is only for privileged individuals or that it is too expensive to afford.

To address the unequal distribution of college applications among socioeconomically disadvantaged students, there are several steps that can be taken. One of the most important is to increase awareness of the benefits of attending selective institutions. This can be done through outreach programs, college fairs, and other educational initiatives that target students from low-income backgrounds. Additionally, schools and colleges can work to provide more resources and support to students from low-income backgrounds, such as counseling and guidance services, financial aid, and scholarships.

Another important step is to challenge cultural and societal expectations that prioritize traditional career paths over higher education. This can be done through education and awareness campaigns that promote the value of higher education and the opportunities it can provide. Additionally, schools and colleges can work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students from low-income backgrounds, such as by providing culturally sensitive counseling and support services and by offering programs that promote diversity and inclusion.

In conclusion, the unequal distribution of college applications among socioeconomically disadvantaged students is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach. By increasing awareness of the benefits of attending selective institutions, providing more resources and support to students from low-income backgrounds, and challenging cultural and societal expectations that prioritize traditional career paths over higher education, we can work to create a more equitable and inclusive higher education system.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978827042