The Unified Selection System (Sisu) for 2025 has officially commenced its convocations, beginning April 12, 2025, as institutions begin to call candidates selected from the waiting list. This process is pivotal for candidates who were not selected during the regular admissions and are now vying for their dream university placements.
According to the Ministry of Education (MEC), the responsibility for issuing calls and enrolling students falls squarely on the participating educational institutions. This decentralized approach allows each university to manage its own selection process. Therefore, candidates must remain vigilant and check their respective educational institutions' websites for updates on the status of their applications.
This year's Sisu offered 261,779 slots across 6,851 courses at 124 public higher education institutions nationwide, reflecting the government's commitment to broaden access to quality public education. A staggering 254,899 candidates were approved during the initial calls, indicating intense competition among applicants.
The call for enrollment from the waiting list will continue until September 30, 2025, enabling applicants to secure placements for both first and second semester courses starting throughout the year. The extension of the deadline is aimed at ensuring all eligible candidates have ample opportunity to be considered for available spots.
"The call for the effective enrollment of candidates is the responsibility of the educational institutions themselves," stated the MEC, underscoring the necessity for candidates to constantly monitor announcements relevant to their chosen universities. These institutions will publish specific notices detailing how they will fill these remaining vacancies and the academic calendars they will adhere to.
The process works as follows: candidates who were not accepted during the regular Sisu call had the chance to express interest in the waiting list between January 26 and January 31, 2025. This window allowed them to remain contenders for their chosen courses as they prioritized available spots.
According to MEC’s guidelines, each institution is expected to disclose its respective waiting list, taking care to include the relevant details, such as which courses, periods, and forms of competition the vacancies pertain to. This structured communication will be pivotal for candidates, as they navigate the selection process with clarity.
Institutions like the University of Federal Pernambuco (UFPE), Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), and University of Pernambuco (UPE) are making their preparatory moves with convocations expected. Reports indicate UFPE is scheduled to publish its first call from the waiting list on April 14, closely followed by UFRPE.
For candidates, being proactive is more important than ever. "Candidates must follow the sequence of convocations directly from the institution they expressed their interest in," MEC urges, highlighting the individualized responsibility each student bears to stay informed.
Overall, the Unified Selection System continues to serve as the principal pathway for aspiring students to access higher education across Brazil. By allowing them to apply for multiple universities through one centralized system based on their scores from the National High School Exam (ENEM), the Sisu program supports the government’s broader educational aims.
The system aims to democratize access to educational opportunities, enhancing the chances for students from diverse backgrounds to pursue and attain university degrees. Such initiatives reinforce the nation's educational integrity and strive to provide quality public education for all.
With the commencement of the waiting list convocations, there’s renewed hope and opportunity for students wanting to change their academic fates. All eyes are now on how effectively the institutions will manage their lists and how many additional candidates will find their paths to higher education in the coming months.