Atributos individuais, background familiar e as chances de sucesso dos candidatos ao vestibular da UFC

Abstract

Analyzing the performance determinants of candidate students in the college entrance examination at UFC is the main objective of this article. The methodology framework is based upon the specification of a return to education production function and its estimation is done through econometric models of discrete choice, dichotomous and polychotomous, with the aim of extracting students’ chances to achieve success in the examination in all areas of undergraduate courses offered by the university. Thus, a database derived from the candidates’ socioeconomic surveys was made available by the Undergraduate Office of UFC. From the statistically robust results, it was verified in the socioeconomic variables vector a strong negative effect in the chance of success in the examination for those candidates that are engaged in the labor market. Family background was incisive on candidates’ successes, since those that have parents with college education demonstrate to attain better performance in the examination. The quality of public secondary schooling was reflected in the results by reducing significantly the chances of success for students from public schools. Forecast scenarios within areas of knowledge allowed inferring that candidates with high chance of success in certain areas would not maintain it in others. The competition effect was discarded as decisive factor of performance in each area.