WHITE COATS: QUOTA STUDENTS’ TRAJECTORY AND PERFORMANCE IN MEDICAL SCHOOL AT UNB

Abstract

This article discusses quota students’ experience and performance in the medical school at Universidade de Brasília. Based on statistical data and 11 interviews conducted with students of the course, we discuss academic performance, dropout rate, family origin, preparation for selection processes, college experience, and students’ future perspectives. The empirical focus of the research was based on the type of admission quota and the students’ race/color. We conclude the text by demonstrating that quota and non-quota students have similar academic performance, as well as showing the policy’s positive reach and the existing challenges for the bodies that wear white coats not only to be white, but to have the color/race similar to that of the population that will be served by the new generations of doctors.