Results from Benito Juarez University

The short story is:  Fran's number did not appear in the list of those who passed.  She is disappointed of course, but I am not --  and the reasons why are illustrated in the long story...

The long story is: (I will list the facts, you, kind reader will be able to link them in your own mind).

In the list of numbers, whole blocks in the sequence were missing.  Perhaps one number out of each large block of several hundred appeared. 

Fran was told before she took the test that some families pay 40,000 pesos to the director BEFORE the test to assure that their kids get in.  Her dentist personally knows 2 families, one who paid, and one who did not -- the one who paid got in.

The test is not difficult.  Thousands of kids take it, and each one pays for the privilege.  The school profits from offering the test to thousands of students while accepting very few.

Her teacher at the Center told her that about 70% of the students are already chosen because their family paid "donations" to the school BEFORE the test, so they can only fill 30% of the open spots.  A good number of these are filled by brothers and sisters of existing students.

So...

Although Fran feels let down, neither of us intended for her to attend Benito Juarez.  She has momentarily forgotten that she only signed up for this test to practice for the much more difficult one she took for the Tech college a week later.  But she is resiliant, and will recover.

Since the next test was more difficult, and this was her first year trying to take it with only 3 months of intensive study, we are talking about alternatives for her in case she doesn't pass.  She said that she met several students at both tests who were taking them for the 2nd and 3rd time.  We don't intend to give up either!!! (Although there is no sense in re-taking Benito Juarez acceptance is based mostly on mordidas).

But as we wait for the upcoming results of her final test, Fran has started to look for other courses in private schools she might take over the course of the year to keep her on course for retaking the exam next year. We are in it for the long haul, and we hope you continue to give her your support and encouragement.

More soon!