Carrying out surveys that attempt to understand the characteristics and opinions of students at university level may provide important information for planning and reorganizing academic development. In order to profile the students of the Center for Health Sciences, at the Federal University of Pernambuco, questionnaires were distributed to the academics in the second term of the course, containing questions regarding their socio-economic and personal aspects. The profile of students (n = 210) was characterized by a predominance of females, aged between 19 and 21 years, who had been to private schools, were from the most economically advantaged social classes, and had been greatly influenced by their family regarding career choice. Most students were not enrolled in the courses they had chosen as their first option, but had high expectations about the course, and considered that the course met their expectations. After finishing the course, most students intend to take a postgraduate course and work in public service. One problem that remains concerning the choice of the profession, is that it might be determined by socio-economic status and family influence.
Health; Students; Medical Education; Primary Health Care
