@masterthesis{Morelli2024,
       author = "Morelli, Melissa",
       title =  {{"Where Does the Distinction Lie?” The Impact of Public and Private High School Resourcing on Students’ Transition to an Elite College}},	
       type = {Bachelor's Thesis},

       howpublished = "\url{https://ir.hamilton.edu/do/fdcd947e-9ec8-4225-964b-7429081b44ab}",
       institution = {Hamilton College},
       year = 2024,
       month = may,
       school = {Sociology},
}

Creator

Date

May 2024

Description

My study identifies the impact of high school resourcing on students' experience in navigating life on an elite college campus. In order to do this, a series of 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 4 students enrolled at Hamilton college who graduated from three distinct types of high schools: elite private schools, well resourced public schools and less resourced public schools. According to my findings, the defining factor in determining the effectiveness of a high school education in preparing students for elite higher education is not the source of funding for these institutions (whether it be public or private), but the amount of resourcing available in the institution. Across Well Resourced Schools, students have access to rigorous academics, extracurriculars and college counseling opportunities, thus preparing them to navigate college life. On the other hand, students from Less Resourced Schools lack these opportunities. This finding demonstrates the reproduction of inequality in terms of who has the cultural capital necessary to access and succeed in elite postsecondary education.

Type of Work

• Thesis

Institution

Hamilton College

Area of Study

• Sociology

Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Advisor

Part of Collection

Senior Theses

Rights Statement

The copyright for this work is held by its creators and Hamilton College. More information