Differences in the Decision to Attend College among African Americans, Hispanics, and Whites

Profiles of Latino Adaptation at Elite Colleges and Universities

“…In examining ethnic minority adolescents' aspirations and expectations, Hanson (1994) argued that ''although everyone may want to succeed, people in different [social] strata have different expectations of their chances for success'' resulting from their perceptions of the opportunities afforded their respective social groups (p. 60). Hanson's observation is supported by social and cultural capital theory and research that has sought to explain how a lack of knowledge and information about higher education often limits individuals' sense of opportunities available to them and their capabilities to achieve their goals (e.g., Arellano and Padilla 1996;Cabrera and Padilla 2004;Carter 2005;Coleman 1988;McClelland 1990;Perna 2000).…”

Detecting selection bias, using propensity score matching, and estimating treatment effects: an application to the private returns to a master’s degree

“…In conventional econometric models, non-economic information about education does not play a role in individual higher education investment decisions (e.g., Mincer, 1974;Willis, 1986;Willis and Rosen, 1979). Manski (1993) and others (Paulsen and St. John, 2002;Perna, 2000;St. John and Asker, 2001) suggest that the explanatory power of econometric models for determining college attendance is improved when including such non-monetary concepts as values about education and access to college-related information.…”

“…John and Asker, 2001) suggest that the explanatory power of econometric models for determining college attendance is improved when including such non-monetary concepts as values about education and access to college-related information. In an effort to further understand the forces that influence college enrollment decisions, prior research (e.g., Perna, 2000Perna, , 2004 utilized expanded econometric models that incorporate concepts from cultural and social capital theories in addition to human capital theory.…”

Uncontrolled Destinies: Improving Opportunity for Low-Income Students in American Higher Education

“…In attempting to operationalize human capital investments, researchers have relied on a number of proxies, mainly academic in nature, including high school grade point average, course-taking patterns, AP examinations, and standardized tests (Adelman 1999;Cabrera and La Nasa 2001;Engberg and Wolniak 2010a, b;Hossler et al 1989;Perna 2000Perna , 2004Perna and Titus 2005;St. John 1991).…”