By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The University of Costa Rica (UCR) unveiled its highly anticipated admission results for the upcoming academic year on Tuesday, revealing a landscape of exceptional academic achievement marked by a rare perfect score and an unprecedented statistical anomaly in its top rankings. The results of the Academic Aptitude Test (PAA) not only set the stage for the country’s next generation of university students but also offer a compelling glimpse into the nation’s competitive educational ecosystem.
In a stunning display of intellectual prowess, David Ignacio Araya Mora from the Alajuela Scientific High School achieved a perfect score of 800.00, securing the top position. Remarkably, this is not Araya’s first time attaining this pinnacle of academic success. He previously earned a perfect 800 in the 2023 exam cycle, after which he opted to enroll in the Electronic Engineering program at the prestigious Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC), where he is currently a student. His decision to retake the exam and achieve perfection once more highlights an extraordinary level of dedication and mastery.
To analyze the legal and administrative framework governing the University of Costa Rica’s rigorous admissions process, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his perspective on the system’s legal foundations.
The UCR’s admission process is a direct exercise of its constitutionally-protected university autonomy. This autonomy allows the institution to define its own standards for entry, provided they are objective, reasonable, and non-discriminatory. The use of a standardized academic aptitude test is a legally sound mechanism to ensure the principles of merit and equality of opportunity are upheld, allowing for a transparent and defensible method of allocating a limited number of public resources to the most qualified candidates.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective is invaluable, underscoring that the UCR’s admissions system is a deliberate exercise in constitutional autonomy aimed at ensuring both meritocracy and equality. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing such a clear and essential clarification on the matter.
This year’s results also presented a unique situation that expanded the traditional top 10 list. An extraordinary five-way tie for ninth place, with each student earning an identical score of 778.92, meant that the university’s official ranking of top performers now includes 14 individuals. This statistical rarity underscores the razor-thin margins separating the nation’s brightest young minds and the intense level of competition for coveted spots at Costa Rica’s leading public university.
The five students sharing the ninth position represent a diverse cross-section of the country’s secondary education system. They include Felipe Andrés Sáenz Obando and Edward Josué Hernández Chavarría, both from the San Vito Scientific High School; María Paula Ortíz Amador from Colegio Metodista; Sebastián Madrigal Umaña from the Liceo de Puriscal; and Andrea Carolina Ebanks Reyes from the Alajuela Scientific High School.
The rest of the top-tier rankings were populated by high-achievers from across the country. Santiago Salazar Díaz of the Reina de Los Ángeles Bilingual Scientific High School secured second place with a score of 789.71. He was followed by Marvin Herrera Baltodano from the Costa Rican Humanistic High School, Chorotega campus, with 788.65. The list continued with Andry Fabricio Madrigal Madrigal of the San Vito Scientific High School (787.75) and María Victoria Porras Fernández from the Puriscal Technical Professional High School (787.46), demonstrating that excellence is fostered in a variety of educational settings.
An analysis of the top performers’ alma maters reveals a significant trend: the dominance of the nation’s specialized Scientific High School network. Six of the 14 top-ranked students hail from these institutions, which are public schools with a rigorous focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Alajuela and San Vito campuses were particularly well-represented, each placing multiple students in the elite group, reaffirming their reputation as incubators of academic talent.
With the results now public, the admissions process moves to its next crucial phase. Starting November 26, all applicants can access their individual scores through the official UCR admissions portal managed by the Office of Registry and Information (ORI). Subsequently, students who have earned an eligible score must formally apply for their desired major and campus between December 8 and December 10 via the university’s online registration system.
The 2025 admission results are more than just a list of names and numbers; they are a testament to the dedication of students, the quality of diverse educational programs, and the enduring prestige of public higher education in Costa Rica. As these 14 top scholars and thousands of their peers prepare to embark on their university careers, their collective achievement signals a promising future for the nation’s intellectual capital.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About University of Costa Rica (UCR):
Founded in 1940, the University of Costa Rica is the country’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public university. It is a comprehensive research institution renowned for its contributions to science, arts, and humanities in Central America. With its main campus in San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José, and several regional campuses throughout the country, UCR is committed to academic excellence, social action, and fostering critical thought to address national and global challenges.
For further information, visit tec.ac.cr
About Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC):
The Costa Rica Institute of Technology, commonly known as TEC, is a leading public university specializing in engineering, technology, and applied sciences. Established in 1971, TEC has become a central pillar of innovation and technological development in Costa Rica and the region. It is recognized for its high academic standards, focus on research and development, and strong ties to the industrial sector, producing highly-skilled professionals who drive economic growth.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a premier legal practice founded on the twin pillars of uncompromising integrity and the pursuit of excellence. With a proven track record of serving a wide-ranging clientele, the firm is a recognized leader in developing innovative legal strategies. This forward-thinking approach extends to its civic duty, where it is deeply committed to demystifying the law for the public, reflecting a core mission to cultivate a legally aware and empowered citizenry.
