#wolin

Today in the United States there is a circular system whereby elites are produced and the institutions producing them are confirmed as 'elite institutions,' thereby attracting a fresh supply of promising material that further confirms the institutions' special status. A small number of institutions select, groom, train, and certify a small number of individuals as exceptionally talented and warranting privilege. 'Elite' private preparatory academies, colleges, and universities, including Bible colleges and theological seminaries, perform the function of identifying and producing, not just elites, but authorities. At elite institutions, unlike community colleges and many public and private educational institutions, the humanities and social sciences are featured prominently, whereby those subjects are designated as a badge of superiority distinguishing their students from those at lesser schools emphasizing 'work skills.' The vocational education of elites is deferred to the highly competitive graduate and professional schools in law, medicine, business, the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, where not only qualified practitioners but 'leaders in their field' are produced. Although a few public universities, even an occasional public high school, make the cut, the high costs of elite institutions convert attendance into an investment. The expectation is that there will be a 'return' in the form of a prestigious career.