University choice in upper-class Chilean students

Abstract

The aim of the research was to describe the choice of university in the discourse of upper-class students from highly elite private universities in Chile. Eleven interviews were conducted and were analyzed using qualitative discourse analysis. The results show that the material and social conditions shared by upper-class students cause students to share the same boundary between eligible and non-eligible institutions and exercise social closure mechanisms in their choice. The subjects do not conceive massive or non-elitist institutions as possibilities and seek homogeneous environments in which they can continue to relate to their peers.