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Two El Agustino friends make UNI history, taking first and second place among over 5,000 applicants
🇵🇪 Peru /Culture & Society

Two El Agustino friends make UNI history, taking first and second place among over 5,000 applicants

From La República · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Two 17-year-old friends from El Agustino, Maikel Fabrizio Alejos Lapa and Javier Reyes Zeballos, secured the first and second highest scores in the National University of Engineering (UNI) 2026-II admission process.
  • Maikel achieved the top score and will study Industrial Engineering, while Javier placed second and will study Economic Engineering, both out of over 5,000 applicants.
  • Both students prepared intensely, with Maikel studying over 12 hours daily and temporarily giving up soccer, and they supported each other throughout their rigorous study routines.

Two 17-year-old friends from El Agustino have made history by achieving the top two positions in the highly competitive National University of Engineering (UNI) 2026-II admission process. Maikel Fabrizio Alejos Lapa secured the first place with the highest overall score, earning a spot in Industrial Engineering, while his close friend Javier Reyes Zeballos followed in second place, admitted to Economic Engineering. They emerged victorious among more than 5,000 candidates vying for a coveted spot at the university.

The academic success of these young scholars from Juventud Científica school is a testament to their dedication. Maikel, in particular, maintained a demanding study schedule, dedicating over 12 hours a day to preparation and even putting his passion for soccer on hold to focus on his goal. This achievement adds to his already impressive academic record, which includes nine previous university admissions from institutions like the National University Major San Marcos and Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.

During several months they studied together, solved exercises and exchanged methods to face the problems they encountered during their preparation.

Describing the collaborative study habits of the two friends.

Javier also boasts a strong academic background, having previously secured top positions in admission processes for several prestigious universities. Their shared journey to success was marked by mutual support. For months, they studied together, tackling challenging problems and exchanging study methods. Rather than viewing each other as rivals, they used their individual progress as motivation to push each other further, ultimately leading to their consecutive top placements.

Their triumph also reflects positively on their alma mater, Juventud Científica, which saw six other students successfully gain admission to UNI in the same process. While Maikel and Javier will now embark on their university careers in different engineering fields, their shared preparation for this significant academic milestone has forged a unique bond.

Instead of assuming the process as a rivalry, the young people used their results as a way to demand themselves academically.

Highlighting the supportive dynamic between the two top-scoring students.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La República in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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