This book is an in-depth study which examines the lives of fifty ambitious Latino/a high school seniors in the San Francisco East Bay Area, following their entrance into college and career pathways over several years. This book examines the social forces that contributed to near-universal college attendance among these mostly low-income Latinos/as, all of whom attended fairly typical public schools. In an era of increased economic insecurity, decreased funding for schools, and rising college tuition, this book provides a balanced look at the individual choices and systemic constraints influencing today's college-for-all orientation, while pointing the way toward possibilities for making college pathways smoother for all.

Presents an in-depth examination of 50 Latino/a college aspirants in San Francisco Offers a detailed empirical demonstration of college choice processes among an underrepresented population facing many obstacles Provides readers with background on the history of immigration policy and reform attempts, including the failed DREAM Act

Autorentext

Sarah M. Ovink is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA. Her research on education, gender, race/ethnicity, and immigration has appeared in a number of academic journals, including Gender & Society, Social Science Research, and Research in Higher Education.

Inhalt
Acknowledgements.- Introduction: Pathways in the College-for-All Era.- Chapter 1: California Dreams: Higher Education in the Golden State.- Chapter 2: Limited Options: Choosing a Two-Year Transfer Pathway.- Chapter 3: Getting it Over With: Choosing a Four-Year College.- Chapter 4: I Try Not to Think About It: College-Bound without Citizenship.- Chapter 5: Gendered Meanings in College Choice Conclusion: The Meaning of College and the Economics of Choice.- Appendix A: Notes on the Field .- Appendix B: Interview Sample Demographics, College Pathways and Career Interests Across Interview Waves.- References.- Index.