Preparing for Power Essay Example

educate students about the norms and values associated with prestige, privilege, and power.

Cookston and Persell argue that elite prep schools have a significant impact on students' education and lifestyle, as emphasized by the importance of cultural capital. This includes aspects such as the curriculum, extracurricular activities, and peer socialization. The transmission of cultural capital occurs through various means including dress manners, sports, music, computers, and more. These institutions provide opportunities for students to acquire cultural capital through their school curriculum and other offerings. Similarly, Sophia University follows this pattern by transmitting cultural capital through its courses, club activities, volunteering opportunities, and seminars. As students progress through their university education at Sophia University, they are influenced by the school's colors, beliefs, thoughts values which ultimately shape their own sense of identity as well as preferences and tastes. Cookston and Persell compare public schools to factories while private schools resemble clubs in terms of the difference between them.

In terms of high school education in Japan, there is a distinction between public and private schools. However, this distinction does not significantly affect the quality of education at universities. Each university has its own unique characteristics such as traditions, beliefs, well-equipped laboratories, specialized fields of study, and renowned professors. For example, Sophia University is a Christian institution that offers linguistics courses while Keio University is a non-religious institution known for its business and medical programs. When choosing a university, applicants consider these characteristics and their desired field of study just like when selecting a private or boarding school. At Sophia University, cultural capital is primarily transmitted through its courses and curriculum. Unlike high school education, universities provide students with

a more liberal and self-responsible environment.

Sophia University offers individuals the freedom to select their classes and credit load, as long as they fulfill the school's requirements. Unlike a strict institution like an American daily schedule, students at Sophia University have autonomy over their daily lives. Many students prioritize extracurricular activities such as part-time jobs, club participation, and volunteering over school activities. As I have matured, personally I allocate less time to school activities. Consequently, cultural capital derived from university courses and classes has diminished influence on numerous students at Sophia University. This raises the question: How does cultural capital reach me and my peers? In my perspective, cultural capital is already ingrained during one's early stages of life.

After conducting a survey among 30 seniors at Sophia University, it became evident that the majority of them perceive university education as crucial and indispensable for achieving future success. Having studied in a private school, I was taught about the significance of pursuing higher education and expanding my knowledge for my prospective career. The process of selecting and attending universities is the initial step in cultural capital circulation when contemplating one's future. My values have been shaped and polished over time, culminating in my enrollment in university.

After observing numerous individuals achieve success after graduating from Sophia University, I decided to enroll in this institution as a stepping stone towards my future career. It is widely recognized that during the job hunting process, the reputation of one's university can offer a significant advantage in a highly competitive environment. In my human resource management class, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Mitsubishi Fuso's recruitment manager. In their

case, candidates are evaluated based on various criteria, including their university ranking. Since there is fierce competition for admission to this school, the choice of university is seen as a reflection of an individual's abilities and potential. Therefore, attending this university is akin to becoming part of what Cookson and Percell refer to as a "status club."

The majority of Sophia University students acquire cultural capital and are influenced by it, leading them to attend an elite university. Typically, parents and high schools play a role in shaping their perception of what is considered a suitable choice. At Sophia University, students have already made their decision based on cultural capital. During their time at the university, cultural capital is further conveyed to me and my peers through the development of responsibility and guidance. Unlike in high school, professors do not intervene in students' life plans.

In high school, I attended monthly advice sessions with teachers to discuss my future and make decisions about my university and later life. However, at Sophia University, I had complete responsibility for my own life and did not have close relationships with professors like I did in high school. Upon entering university, I became more reflective and began making detailed plans for my future. During the job hunting process, I visited Sophia University's career center, where I gained valuable career information from alumni and regained an appreciation for the education and significance of Sophia University. The good results I achieved are a testament to the high-quality curriculum and environment provided by Sophia University.

I believed that I acquired cultural capital through my university experience. It may not have been a direct process, but

cultural capital is somehow transmitted to all students. As previously mentioned, cultural capital is received by individuals during their early life, before entering university. People develop their sense of value based on their surroundings and personal experiences.

In terms of value creation, I agree with Cookson and Persell's argument on cultural capital. Prep schools can be considered as "status seminaries" as they play a significant role in shaping individuals' understanding of prestige, privilege, and power during their high school years. This knowledge and socialization are subsequently passed down to their own children when they become parents, creating a continuous cycle of transmitting value. I believe that it is the society and the environment that effectively transmit cultural capital to individuals. Although prep schools, boarding schools, and private schools are institutional means of transmitting cultural capital, there are numerous other opportunities that people may not recognize as part of it. It is also possible that society itself serves as a form of transmitting cultural capital. The perspective offered by Cookson and Persell on prep schools and their understanding of what boarding schools truly are fascinated me as I delved into their book.

Being born into a middle-class family and having parents who understand the significance of education, I was raised in a manner similar to the boarding school students described in the book. I found many shared values with them. The arguments made by Cookson and Persell resonate with my own life, although not specifically with my time at Sophia University.