Through analyzing original survey data from1012 ninth graders at 9 middle schools collected in Beijingin 2015 and adopting the frameworks of social stratificationand Effectively Maintained Inequality, this study examinesthe differential in the choice of and access to such educa-tional resources as studying overseas among differentsocial strata in China. Particular attention is paid to stu-dents from those groups which are at an advantage inbuilding networks and mobilizing social resources, namelyhigh-ranking officials, wealthy business owners, and white-collar professionals. By analyzing how different socialstrata differ in their willingness and plan to study overseas,this empirical study has shown that studying overseas,which is considered an option for pursuing high-qualityeducational resources, has proven to be such a tool foradvantaged social classes to maintain their status and fordisadvantaged social classes to climb up the social lad

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• ocial Stratification and Studying Overseas: Empirical Evidencefrom Middle Schools in Beijing