The Review of Policy Research has revealed why intelligent students who belong to communities that are disadvantaged are unable to utilize the college options which are available to them. One reason for this is insufficient scholarship information available to them.
The other reasons are group identity, self-contrast, and social identity, according to Jennifer A. Zimbroff, the author of the study. Most of these students come from communities that are collectivist in nature, which is altogether different from American individuality. The competitive and self-promotional college admissions are alien to the culture of these students.They also fear that such education may alienate them from their families and communities. Other safer options are often sought by the disadvantaged students. A questionnaire was filled by 85 such students to see if the nature and culture of the students suited college admissions. The students were mostly concerned about fitting in, competence, personal identity, and preparedness.
