University as an educational trajectory rupture: transition experience of Professional Technical High School graduates that enter to Universidad de Chile’s Programa de Bachillerato

Abstract

This study explores the transition experience to the university of Professional Technical High School (PTHS) graduates who enter to Programa de Bachillerato, Universidad de Chile. The process of transition to the university of 6 freshmen students of Bachillerato in 2017 was investigated through semi-structured interviews. The results show: i) that admission to the university means a Rupture in the Trajectory of the student. From the possibility of entering the university, he must redefine his life project and build strategies to face the new scenario ii) that, at admission, PTHS student does not have the cultural-academic and social capital needed to successfully face university and iii) that the university institution needs to implement changes to meet the needs of students graduating from PTHS and first university generation.