The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges are Failing Disadvantaged Students

Super Short Summary

The Privileged Poor, by Anthony Abraham Jack, examines the experiences of underprivileged students at an elite Northeastern university he calls Renowned. Through interviews and observations of students, Jack distinguishes between the Privileged Poor, who attended elite high schools, and the Doubly Disadvantaged, who did not. He highlights how these differences impact their ability to navigate college life, interact with faculty, and utilize resources. The book also addresses food insecurity and stigmatizing aspects of campus programs. Jack argues for better funding for public schools and urges colleges to better support all students. The text includes references to gang violence, poverty, and drug addiction.