The number of unfilled places in medical courses surged during the first call of Brazil's Sisu 2026, particularly at federal universities like UFRJ, raising concerns among experts.
The recent first enrollment round for Sisu 2026 has revealed a troubling increase in the number of unfilled spots in medical programs across federal universities in Brazil. This surge is especially notable at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), where one of the nation's most competitive medical degrees saw a significant portion of its vacancies migrate to the waiting list. Specifically, 97 out of 200 available spots went unfilled, marking an increase from previous years where fewer spots were left vacant in the first call.
The data shows that other institutions also faced similar issues, with evaluations highlighting a noteworthy rise in vacancies that could have far-reaching implications for medical education in Brazil. For instance, at the UFRJ campus in Macaé, 39 out of 60 available spots saw no enrollment, compared to just 15 vacancies last year. This pattern suggests a concerning trend in one of the most sought-after courses in the country, prompting experts to investigate potential causes behind this phenomenon.
The preliminary hypothesis relates to recent regulatory changes within the Sisu system itself. Experts speculate that these alterations, which may have impacted student preferences and application behavior, could be a key factor in the current decline in medical enrollments as universities begin to release waiting lists. Until more detailed data is released, it remains uncertain how these changes will ultimately affect the future of medical education in Brazil and whether institutions will adapt strategies to counteract this increase in unfilled vacancies.
