Paying for the Party: How College Maintains Inequality

This is quite a book. Its thesis is that the kids who go to college to take “easy” majors and to party a good deal, they are the ones who keep the college gates open. They are the majority of the students. They are the ones who, primarily, pay for the place. Among the rest, are the very serious students, the ones who come in with high grades and ambitions, then continue on that track and go straight in to their planned profession. Another group is those who want “mobility” from college, the use of their college degree to better themselves.The three college “pathways” defined in the book are professional, party and mobility.Those on the “professional” pathway are the high achievers, who, generally, come from professional families, the doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc. They have excellent financial support in college, so they are not expected to work while there. They have the most contacts for meaningful internships, as well. Most in this pathway are successful in meeting their college goals, due, in a large part, because they are very well-prepared and counseled before and during their college experience. College is not a big deal to them. It is an essential step in their quest for professional success.Those on the “mobility” pathway have lower-middle or working-class backgrounds. They are motivated to find careers that will take them places, for example not back to their home towns. Not all will succeed. They lack preparation for the college experience and financial backing. Most need to work during college. Few are able to reach the professional pathway and go on to graduate school.Then there is the “party” pathway. These kids are all over the place. Many are from out of state; thus, they pay higher tuition and other costs. They tend to take “easy” majors, join fraternities or sororities and strive to finish with a degree that probably does not lead directly to a job. Some have vocations already defined for them back home, e.g., to work in a family business. Others think that being good at interacting with others will lead them to opportunities that do not required “hard” degrees. Many of the women are there to learn, primarily, how to be a “good wife.” Many are there primarily to perfect the socialite life.This book is based on a five-year interview study, plus follow-ups, of about 50 women students at a mid-west college that the authors name “MU.” Multiple times, the book points out the distinction between this level of college or university and the state college universities. It is clear that “MU” is a prestigious school in many ways and that it is at a much higher status level than the state college universities. It is relatively hard to get into MU, and not everyone is going to make it at MU.Clearly, funding from parents is a major component for success at MU, as is the educational level of parents. If your parents have gone to college, then they know the ropes. If not, you are, for the most part, on your own. Some of the kids enter MU with a great deal of knowledge about the school, itself; for others, it is like entering “another world,” something they have never experienced.The flow of the book is bit ragged. There are comparisons between girls. There are individual studies of a single girl. There are groups examined, together. Yes, while it is true that there are many variables to discuss and compare, it would still seem that the book could have been organized better.At the same time, the stories and information presented keeps one interested and makes for a very good book, I think.There is plenty of bad news. For example, about 60% of those on the professional pathway do not make it, per one section of the book, and despite what I said above. They are not headed by the time of graduation to graduate school in their chosen profession. The competition in this professional pathway is fierce. It is the survival of the fittest, and the financial and other parental support can mean all the difference.Most on the party pathway did not see themselves on the way to graduate school or a profession, such as medicine or engineering. Their dilemma is that their degree is not going to get them a good job, for the most part. It does not give them skills that lead directly to a good job. Many find jobs after graduation that do not even require a college degree. One, for example, with a degree in Biology, ends up working as a dental assistant for $11 per hour.One of the girls develops a serious problem with alcohol. She has to drop out and go into rehab.Many in the party or mobility pathway lack funds after graduation to live in areas with good jobs. In short, all that partying experience is not going to pay the bills after graduation. And, if you have student debt to pay after graduation, that is another problem. None of the girls from a working-class background, most who had to work to pay their bills, were able to graduate in four years.Joining a sorority tends to keep students on the party pathway; although, one or two sororities seek high-achievers on the professional pathway. Most do not. But then there are the ones who do not get selected by sororities at all. They can lead lonely, isolated lives in comparison with those selected, as those selected tend to only associate with others in sororities.As graduates, those with degrees in business seemed to have the smoothest path directly into a good job.The author makes a bit of a case that the college/university structure needs changes. One suggestion is that fraternities and sororities be banned, but few schools are willing to do that. Another is that the schools provide more support to those seeking mobility.The shocker remains that, per this book, most who go to college go, primarily, to socialize and party. And, without that group, most colleges would probably have to close their doors.That would end a lot of fun for a lot of college students, many of whom are simply in their extended adolescent stage..

While I had a little trouble keeping of the various women on the floor on my Kindle version, I found this be an enjoyable, easy, and thought-provoking read. I'm not a social scientist so can't comment on whether the methodology and sample size "confirm" the findings, but there is no doubt that the authors have captured some important truths in their study, and they should be noted by students, parents, and administrators. Particularly at a school such as the one highlighted here which attracts students with varying resources and objectives -- but really at any -- several of the "pathways" may be highly seductive yet inappropriate for a portion of the student body. When colleges (public or private) report on "outcomes", they don't put an asterisk next to the ones that required the graduate's family to support him/her financially and/or to use the family's network to create that outcome. (The fact that 95% of the class is employed or in grad school 6 months after graduation may say more about the demographics of the student body than the value of the degree or effectiveness of the Career Placement office.) Good advising, academic and social, is critical to success and needs to be calibrated to the student's circumstances.I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a framework for thinking about the academic and social options at any school and coming up with a strategy for navigating them.

Well written with enough detail and data but overall dry. This book is great for a HS senior as well as parents. Financial support and family support is the key to graduating in 4 years from a good university--they authors get it. If you do not have good financial support, go to local university and keep you spirits up and not get down over money and the pressure.

essential reading for sociology class; an engaging read, very thorough and accessible ethnography showing how class privileges are magnified by the college experience at a large state university with an active Greek scene.

If you are interested the various pathways that students get sorted into on their journey through college, this book of for you! Great for parents, students, and high education professionals alike.

This book was very interesting. Paying for the Party gives really solid and mind opening views and research in regards to the big university experience. I would certainly recommend- it is a must read for anyone interested in sociology or college in general. However, I would say that the book is fairly repetitive.

This is a review of the college 'track' system with reference to multiple case studies. Overall, it just paints yet another way of how the US education system is furthering the lack of social upward mobility.

very interesting

A must-read for anyone concerned about the future of higher public education in the US. Describes the damaging allure of the "party pathway" through college.