It became the state's most reputable and competitive[8] higher education institution, ranking among the country's 40 best universities[9] and Latin America's top 200 list.
Though generally praised for its scope,[15][16] the Expansion Program is criticized for its execution, permeated by bureaucracy and enormous personnel costs, and efficiency.
Until 2011, the university independently commissioned the exam from Fundação Carlos Chagas and performed it over four consecutive days: three for each level in Brazilian secondary schools and one for writing.
[20][21][22] Like most exams in other public universities (except ITA and IME), the questions do not present a particular level of difficulty; vacancies are the decisive factor for selection, given the process' competitive nature.
[24] In 2007, the university adhered to the controversial racial quota system, designating half of its vacancies to public school black students.
[25][26] In 2012, Brazil's Supreme Court declared the quota system to be legal,[27] and it was passed into law after President Dilma Rousseff's sanction.