The ‘Two’ Universities: Cross-Class Encounters and the Segregated Inclusion of Non-Elite Women at an Elite University

Widening participation policies often depict access to elite universities as an inherently inclusive force, particularly for disadvantaged women who have been underrepresented in prestigious degrees. These agendas promise not only access but also social inclusion, with a key aspect being interactions with affluent peers. Drawing on interviews with undergraduates at an elite Chilean university and using Michèle Lamont’s approach to symbolic boundaries, this article explores the two facets of boundary-drawing dynamics between economically elite and widening participation-admitted female students. The results identify the criteria and perceived properties of these boundaries, highlighting the intersectional role of gender. While strong and durable class boundaries exist, the analysis shows the seemingly contradictory dynamics of ‘segregated inclusion’ for widening participation-admitted female students. These insights challenge binary views of inclusion and exclusion, highlighting the dual character of these institutions: elites reinforce existing ties through resegregation, while disadvantaged students are socially included but in a segregated manner.