![\"e193f90510d695c1577f8f6e43eae8b342bcffdf1d4d1dddb38543cc243f9e84\"](\"http:\/\/web.colby.edu\/global-elites\/files\/2016\/12\/e193f90510d695c1577f8f6e43eae8b342bcffdf1d4d1dddb38543cc243f9e84.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n… And persevered together when it hasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Early on in\u00a0the research process, our group struggled to narrow our focus. In our initial research proposal, our group decided to\u00a0focus on studying the impact of parental figures on the lives of Croft School students. When we realized there was not enough data on the Internet to analyze the Croft School through this lens, we decided to shift our focus to extracurricular activities. With this focus in mind, one of my group members effectively conducted three interviews with our assigned Croft School student. Shortly after finishing these interviews, my other group partner chugged along and transcribed all three interviews. Interviewing and transcribing are two of the most time consuming parts of this research project, and my partners did an amazing job.<\/p>\n While getting these interviews done was awesome, I was slightly disappointed to learn our student interviewee was not heavily involved in extracurricular activities. Doing a lot of research on two research topics and not having either pan out was definitely discouraging.<\/p>\n However, not being paired with a student who was deeply invested in extracurricular activities was actually a blessing in disguise. It forced my group to learn one of the most important rules of research\u2013 letting the data tell you what is important and what to focus on. We soon realized that one of the strongest connections between our\u00a0class readings, Internet research on elite schools, and\u00a0our\u00a0interviews was the theme of homogeneity. \u00a0Thus, we made homogeneity our research focus, and ran with it.<\/p>\n After completing our paper outline, my group\u00a0felt confident in its thought progression. However, when Adam took a look at it, he saw a gap between our literature review discussion about\u00a0the growth of inequalities around the world, and our claims regarding the impact of homogeneity at elite schools such as the Croft School. While making this connection was difficult, required a lot of brainpower, and required us to use a theory we had not been directly exposed to in class, my partners and I now feel confident that we can finish our paper with this new thought progression.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nThe Croft School is homogenous in a number of ways. \u00a0First, the school\u00a0provides a standardized,\u00a0homogenous education to all its students; the\u00a0curriculum\u00a0is rigid and\u00a0does not give students\u00a0very many\u00a0opportunities to\u00a0take\u00a0electives. \u00a0Second, the social class standing of students at the Croft School is homogenous since most come from upper\u00a0class backgrounds. Third, the Croft School fosters\u00a0a particular environment, and upholds specific values, in order\u00a0to develop a certain\u00a0type of student — one that is well-rounded, responsible, prepared to attend university anywhere in\u00a0the world, and equipped to become a trustworthy leader in the future.<\/p>\n<\/a>