Laura Hamilton and Elizabeth Armstrong, “The (Mis)Education of Monica and Karen”

What kind of school is MU? What was the allure of attending MU for Karen and Monica?
What are most four-year residential colleges and universities designed to do? Who are they intended to serve?
What is the “great mismatch”?
Why do many students from modest backgrounds aim to attend state flagship universities?
What were public universities developed to do? How has dwindling public funding changed the way schools like MU function?
What did Mitchell Stevens hear a small, private school admissions officer say about an applicant?
What are party dorms?
What percent of the MU student body is in a fraternity or sorority? How big of an impact does the Greek system have on a campus like MU?
Why is a party culture potentially more harmful for students who don’t have a lot of money?
What is an easy major? Where are these majors often housed, in comparison to those housed in traditional colleges or arts and sciences?
In many easy majors, what is vital to career success?
Why did Karen switch to sports broadcasting from education? Why were her parents frustrated by this switch? How did her working class background impact her ability to succeed in this field?
What did Monica do when she left MU? How much student loan debt did she have when she left?
What did Karen do after she left MU? Why did it take her 6 years to finish her degree?
What were the academic outcomes for the majority of the in-state leavers the authors followed?
How did those who went to regional or community colleges fare relative to those who stayed at MU?
What was the best predictor of college success?
What is a party pathway? What is a mobility pathway?
What should students and parents with limited financial resources look for in a college or university?