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

Abstract

Recognizing the current administration's focus on improving postsecondary access, this study examines resource allocation patterns and the predictive power of these resources in increasing the likelihood of 2-and 4-year college enrollment among lowincome students. Using data from the Educational Longitudinal Study, college choice decision-making is conceptualized in relation to an individual's habitus and capital deficiency theory. The results reveal significant differences in the availability and predictive power of various forms of capital across enrollment classifications. The study concludes with implications for administrators and policymakers interested in improving access for low-income students.

Pervasive Inequality in the Stratification of Four-Year College Destinations

“…Even when examining a group of students who successfully matriculated to a four-year, non-profit college immediately upon graduation, there are significant differences among lowand high-SES students in relation to institutional selectivity, particularly among the most academically prepared students. While access remains a critical social justice issue and postsecondary education is far from universal (Engberg & Allen, 2011), this study demonstrates that stratification patterns in postsecondary enrollment remain even when comparing students with equivalent academic qualifications. Bastedo and Jacquette (2011) have also shown that despite overall increases in the academic preparation of low-SES students over time, they have been outpaced by even more substantial gains in academic preparation among high-SES students.…”

“…More effort is needed in recruiting students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly those who are admitted to a highly selective school. Research has shown that low-income students who meet with a college representative (Engberg & Allen, 2011) or receive financial information (Cabrera & La Nasa, 2001) are significantly more likely to attend college (Engberg & Allen, 2011), yet admission counselors are more likely to establish relationships with high schools in high-income neighborhoods (Wolniak & Engberg, 2007).…”

“…Research shows the importance of different social networks in increasing the likelihood of college attendance, with particular attention to parent, peer, and other college-linking networks (Engberg & Allen, 2011;Engberg & Wolniak, 2010;Hill, 2008;Pérez & McDonough, 2008;Perna & Titus, 2005). Disparities, however, exist in relation to students' access to different social networks, and studies show that economically advantaged students have greater access to private counselors (McDonough, 1994), take college entrance examinations more frequently (Fitzgerald & Delaney, 2002), and attend high schools with more established college feeder relationships (Wolniak & Engberg, 2007).…”

“…While numerous technical reports point to the opening of opportunity for all groups (NCES, 2007) and the concomitant attenuation of educational inequality (Arum, Gamoran, & Shavit, 2007), few studies have examined how more qualitative forms of stratification (e.g., selectivity of institutions) pervade the college choice process, especially among those students who go on to four-year institutions. Rather, most studies have 2 highlighted how social origins and access to capital manifest in the unequal distribution of lowincome and underrepresented racial/ethnic minority students within different hierarchical tracks (i.e., two-year versus four-year; Arum et al, 2007;Engberg & Allen, 2011;Perna & Titus, 2005). …”

“…highlighted how social origins and access to capital manifest in the unequal distribution of lowincome and underrepresented racial/ethnic minority students within different hierarchical tracks (i.e., two-year versus four-year; Arum et al, 2007;Engberg & Allen, 2011;Perna & Titus, 2005). …”