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While “failure rates” in bachelor’s degrees are high, conducting a selection process for universities is a good instrument for lowering it. Through the example of selective bachelor’s degrees in the humanities, we show that despite a significant disparity between courses, selection processes lead to a socially and academically more advantaged recruitment. More than a “selection” effect, it is above all this difference in academic recruitment that explains why students admitted to selective bachelor’s degrees persevere more in their studies and are more likely to succeed.