Students from vulnerable backgrounds in an elite university

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a qualitative study of students from vulnerable backgrounds at an elite university, where the student body is characterized by high levels of socioeconomic and cultural homogeneity. Drawing on Dubet´s sociology of school experience and Tinto´s analysis of student persistence, we studied the experiences of 27 students at the University Higher Technical level. We conclude that factors such as the students´ age, employment status and vision of the future result in different experiences. However, the students share a common determination to make the most of their educational opportunity, which they view as a gateway to a more promising future.