The university experience and the dropout of graduate students at the Universidade de São Paulo

Abstract

This paper analyzes the university experience that favored dropout and the paths taken by young people in graduate courses at Universidade de São Paulo (USP), offered in the city of São Paulo during the period 2002-2016. This is a longitudinal research with quantitative analysis of dropout and interviews conducted in depth with a sample of twenty-two USP deserting students and graduates. From the interviews, the authors delineate four trajectory profiles, according to time spent and course completion status. They conclude that the trajectories and experiences pointed out  that the dropout rate depends on differences in the links established with the university, as well as by the conditions and lifestyles of the young people. In contrast, class determinations do not make explicit the incidences of dropout at USP.