"Sociologist Osborne argues in her eye-opening debut study that programs at selective colleges meant to teach students from working-class backgrounds how to network, dress professionally, and otherwise acquire the social capital required to succeed in an elite environment, rather than helping students adjust to campus life, instead supercharge conflict with their families and friends back home.... It’s a searching inquiry into how elite colleges are failing their working-class students."

Publishers Weekly

“Polished provides an essential road map for how colleges can change the lives of first-generation students. Drawing on the compelling narratives of college students who have undergone what she calls a ‘polishing’ process, Osborne calls on institutions of higher learning to enable and support the extensive and profound identity work experienced by upwardly mobile students. Polished is a must-read for those concerned with social mobility and the emotional, social, and economic well-being of first-generation college students.” 

C.J. Pascoe, University of Oregon

“Meticulously researched and carefully argued. In Polished, Osborne deftly reveals the emotional and psychic complexity of educational social mobility in America. She also offers clear-eyed and tractable ways for schools and their personnel to assist students in navigating the positive life changes a college education can bring.”

Mitchell Stevens, Stanford University

"A nuanced exploration of identity, culture, and the emotional impact of social mobility and college education. Will appeal to fans of Anthony Abraham Jack’s The Privileged Poor and readers interested in post-secondary student success strategies."

 

Library Journal

"Osborne makes complex sociological concepts accessible and engaging for a broad audience. This book is a powerful resource for understanding the complexities of first-generation students’ identities and for better addressing the gap in support across campuses. With its perceptive analysis and practical recommendations, Polished offers invaluable insights for educators, administrators, and students."

Choice

" . . . a must-read for anyone interested in social justice, education, and the complexities of class dynamics in contemporary society. It offers a profound look at the realities of striving for a better life through education and the significant challenges that come with it. Osborne’s blend of scholarly research and compelling storytelling creates an enlightening and deeply moving book. It’s a valuable addition to the discourse on social mobility and an inspiration for those navigating similar paths."

Anne M. Hornak | Teachers College Record

"I love this sort of nuanced and challenging work on class and education and social capital, and I think you will too."

Anne Helen Petersen, author of 'Can't Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation'