As China, like many other countries, seeks to improve the quality of education for its citizens and long-term economic sustainability, it is important to have research to inform critical decisions. This study highlights key factors related to college-going, and I am hopeful that it will inform the design of policies aimed to increase both access and opportunity. Although the study examines China specifically, some of the implications can be applied to other cultures and nations worldwide.

Michelle Asha Cooper, President of the Institute for Higher Education Policy

The book includes detailed yet concise literature reviews covering major theories and studies related to cultural capital and college choice, as well as changing social stratification, educational systems, and financial assistance policies in China…. The strength of this study also lies in Gao’s careful application of cultural capital theory in Chinese contexts…. To conclude, this landmark study is a welcome addition to studies of cultural capital, educational inequality, and social stratification. Gao’s work reminds us that it is critical to reassess the meaning and the role of cultural capital in relation to a nation’s educational system and cultural contexts when examining this elusive concept.

American Journal of Sociology