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Story That Came from the Periphery of Salvador and Reached the Top of One of the Most Competitive Courses in the Country Draws Attention for Its Discipline, Lack of Resources, and the Challenge of Transforming Historic Approval into Real Permanence at the University.
The presenter Luciano Huck published, on February 2, 2026, a tribute to the Bahian student Wesley de Jesus, who was approved in 1st place in Medicine at the University of São Paulo (USP) through the score of the Enem 2025.
The young man’s journey gained national attention not only for his academic performance but also for the conditions in which he prepared for the exam.
Without a computer at home, Wesley maintained a study routine that started early in the morning, using an old cellphone as his main tool to access content.
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Despite the historic achievement, the result brought an immediate new challenge for the family, who began to seek alternatives to facilitate the move and ensure the student’s permanence in São Paulo.
Huck’s post highlighted the young man’s origins and the symbolic weight of the result achieved in one of the most competitive selections in the country.
“From the periphery of Salvador to 1st place in Medicine at USP, Wesley got there through effort, persistence, and believing in the transformative power of knowledge.
May this achievement inspire other young people to believe: yes, it is possible to dream big and go far through education,” wrote the presenter.
Public Recognition Expands the Reach of His Journey
Commenting on the case, Luciano Huck stated that stories like Wesley’s help renew confidence in education and the future, reinforcing the transformative role of education when combined with persistence. “There are stories that renew our hope in education, youth, and the future,” he said.
“Congratulations Wesley! Congratulations to this family, and may many more opportunities and achievements come,” he added.
The public response rapidly expanded the visibility of the Bahian student, who had already been mentioned in reports and shared on social media since the exam results were released.
The case drew attention both for the score obtained and for the preparation carried out under adverse conditions.
Family Background Helps to Dimension the Achievement
Originally from Salvador, Wesley de Jesus is 23 years old and lives in the neighborhood of Águas Claras, in the Cajazeiras region. He is the son of a bricklayer and a domestic worker, and he has become the first member of his family to enter higher education.
His parents come from the hinterlands of Bahia, from the villages of Lamarão and Água Fria, in the Sisal region. This social context helps to illustrate the distance between the starting point and the result achieved in a course that is among the most competitive in the country.
Daily Discipline Marked the Preparation for the Exam
During the study period, discipline was treated as an absolute priority. According to Wesley, the day began early, before dawn, so that he could maintain a constant routine throughout the preparation.
“I woke up early to study, I was already awake at 5 a.m. I have always recognized, since I was little, that education is a crucial factor for changing reality. I saw myself as a high-performing athlete to prepare for the exam,” he reported.
Without access to a computer, the old cellphone became the main tool for attending classes and organizing materials. Additionally, the student himself created a study schedule tailored to his reality, maintaining consistency even in the face of limitations.
Surprise and Relief Upon Seeing His Name on the List
The moment of the result announcement was described by Wesley as unexpected. According to him, the reaction was one of disbelief upon realizing his own name in the first position on the list of approved students.
“Getting what I always wanted was astounding.
When I opened the first call and saw my name there, luckily I was sitting, or I would have fallen backward,” he stated.
Approval represented a decisive turning point in his academic and personal journey, translating years of preparation focused on an unprecedented result for the student.
Change Costs Place Permanence on the Agenda
Although the spot at USP represents a milestone, the move to São Paulo involves high costs. Among the expected expenses are housing, food, transportation, and materials required by the course.
For a family without financial margin, these expenses have become an immediate concern. In light of this scenario, Wesley started an online fundraising campaign aimed at facilitating the move and ensuring the minimum conditions to remain in the course.
Guaranteed Access Does Not Solve All Obstacles
The student’s story highlights a recurring issue in public higher education. Securing a spot is just the first step in a process that then depends on financial support, public policies, and support networks.
Full-time courses, such as Medicine, require nearly exclusive dedication, especially in the early years, which can limit work and income opportunities. While public recognition enhances the visibility of the case, it also exposes ongoing structural challenges.
With the spot secured and the move in progress, Wesley’s journey raises a reflection on permanence and equity in public higher education. What needs to change so that students approved at public universities can remain there without relying on individual mobilizations?
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