Non-Registration and Dropout Rates at the Federal University of Minas Gerais

Abstract

Most public universities in Brazil select students using the National Exam of Secondary Education (ENEM) and the Unified Selection System (SiSU). Despite the expected advantages of using ENEM/SiSU to select higher education students, a sizable proportion of the selected students do not register at the universities and early dropout rates are high. This paper analyzes the determinants of non-registration and of early dropping out at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) using logistic models. Then illustrative simulations propose the design of policies with two scenarios that would imply an enormous increase in the effectiveness of the selection process with a remarkable impact on costs.