| I believe the Scientific Olympiad Admission program is an excellent initiative. It gave me another opportunity to enter the program I wanted and attracts students with great potential. I think the program should be expanded, with more seats, more participating universities, and more accepted medals. The act of earning a medal already demonstrates dedication and competence, so it serves as a way to assess students. Olympiads offer a different way of showcasing knowledge, which benefits those who do not adapt well to traditional entrance exams. In public schools, olympiads were not highly valued, but now they are gaining more attention since they can open doors to higher education. Instead of preparing for entrance exams, students can focus on olympiads aligned with their interests. Still, I think post-admission support is lacking. I felt somewhat lost at the beginning because I was already familiar with part of the content and expected more challenges. We need to better discuss how this type of admission can truly democratize university access, because currently, about 80% of medalists still come from private schools, which sustains a certain level of elitism. Many of these students eventually pursue opportunities abroad and leave Unicamp. |
I am fully supportive of the Scientific Olympiad Admission program. I believe any initiative that encourages young people to study is valid and welcome. Although some say it is a privilege or a type of quota, I understand that becoming a medalist in olympiads re-
quires years of dedication. It is not a simple achievement or limited to a specific talent. That is why I believe alternative admission routes are essential to recognize and select students with distinct academic paths. These alternative pathways bring diversity and valuable experiences to the university. Being a medalist is a clear sign that the student fits the profile sought by Unicamp.
Even if it does not guarantee future success, it demon-
strates interest and effort. In my view, this program has no downside, and I hope the number of seats will be increased. |
In my view, the Scientific Olympiad Admission program has been a very positive experience. We have never had issues with students admitted through this route, and I consider it excellent for expanding access to the university and recognizing students’ efforts starting in high school. I would like to offer more seats, since medalists clearly demonstrate their capabilities and, for that reason, I see no need for them to take the entrance exam. They tend to stand out in their first year, and many participate in the PICME program, showing strong performance. Over time, they usually reach the same level as their peers. Nevertheless, I do have some concerns. Some of these students may have a less comprehensive academic background than those who entered through the entrance exam. Additionally, the program is still small and underpublicized. I believe it should be better promoted to attract more talented students. I also feel there is a need for improved follow-up and data collection on these students’ academic paths, as we have yet to accurately assess the real impact of the program. This is essential to determine whether it is truly achieving its objectives. |
Percepción de la comunidad universitaria acerca de la admisión a la educación superior mediante medallas de olimpiadas científicas