Divergent Paths to College

MEGAN M. HOLLAND is an assistant professor in the department of educational leadership and policy at the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York.

"Holland presents a nuanced description of the divergent paths to college that high schools craft for different students. Instead of token efforts, this book provides an insightful analysis of ways to create real college opportunity for students."— James Rosenbaum, co-author of Bridging the Gaps: College Pathways to Career Success"Research outlines inequalities in high school students' college searches" by Charles Anzalone mention of Divergent Paths to College— UBNow"How Social Capital Affects College Choice," by Peter Monaghan — Chronicle of Higher Education"Helping disadvantaged students navigate the college selection process" mention of Divergent Paths to College— News Ticker"Holland takes us inside two different American high schools to offer a deeply nuanced look at how the focus of scholars and policymakers on individual choice has limited our understanding of how young people negotiate their transitions to higher education. She very skillfully elicits from students the ways that larger social structures and processes work to the benefit of some students while holding others back. The study is well-designed, Holland's interpretations of her data even-handed and persuasive, and Divergent Paths to College is highly and refreshingly readable."— David Bills, author of The Sociology of Education and Work"Applying to college? Know what road to travel" interview with Megan Holland— WBFO interview"In lively, clear, and well-written prose, Holland compellingly argues that students at two high performing, ethnoracially diverse high schools receive varied access to college information. Divergent Paths to College adds a much needed look at the institutional dynamics that affect the cumulative decisions that high schoolers make about whether, where, and when to apply to college."— Lisa M. Nunn, author of Defining Student Success: The Role of School and Culture

• Contents  List of Tables    1          College Dreams and College Outcomes  2          Everyone Goes to College  3          Racial Context, Tracking and Peers  4          When Brokering Fails: Guidance Holes and Broken Trust  5          Opportunities or Opportunistic: Marketing in Higher Education  6          Decisions, Decisions, Decisions  7          Consequences for the Application Process, College Destinations, and Beyond  Methodological Appendix  Acknowledgements  Notes  Bibliography  Index