New university admission rules raise questions

Applicants must prioritize instead of agreeing

Many were waiting for the new rules for the admission campaign at universities. We hoped for transparency, a more adequate distribution of budget places. And, to be honest, for the return of the “second wave” – ​​so that the applicant, who made a mistake and incorrectly assessed his chances, had the opportunity to try to do it again. But all that was expected this year from the Ministry of Education and Science was the reduction of areas where you can apply, and the cancellation of applications for consent to enrollment. Than some universities did not fail to take advantage.

The main change is that instead of 50 hypothetical different specialties where you can apply, there are 25 left. You can send your documents to five universities, and try to enter five specialties in each (previously there were 10). Although this replacement can be called purely technical, no one chooses more than 3 specialties. Most – one in each university.

This was announced, in particular, at Moscow State University – they have only one direction to choose. More precisely, one on the budget and one on the paid branch, if you want to play it safe. And that’s it.

Interestingly, the order also contains a clause that gives universities more freedom. Creative – to do a few additional entrance tests (DWI), if they want. And even … an additional wave of receipts is allowed. But only for this, universities should prepare a legal framework. And this is not a quick matter if the university does not have a special status. So it is unlikely that they will have time in 2023. But still, keep an eye on your hands. Especially at flagship universities.

In addition, the submission of consent was canceled – now priorities are in its place. Experts, adapting from the bureaucratic language of the ministry, interpreted the innovation as follows. Applicant already at the stage of submitting documents in 5 permitted universities must decide which of them are top and which are additional. In the same way, it is necessary to prioritize the budget and the paid department, full-time or part-time. And even within the same faculty or direction, you need to tick off. Where is the specialty of your dreams, and where is the alternate airfield.

Analysts disagree over whether this will prevent a swarm of applicants. Which for three years now, since the rules have changed, invariably arises on the last day before the end of the reception. Enrolled virtually bring down the websites of universities, flows of real applicants create crowds in the admissions office. It is clear why: who is not an Olympiad or a hundred points is determined at the last moment.

“I don’t think that the priority of submitting documents will seriously change anything,” says Maria Buyanova, an expert in the field of the Unified State Examination and admission to universities. – Perhaps these different lists in large universities and in branches, by faculties of one university and by direction will somehow make life easier for the universities themselves. Perhaps to the admissions committees, but not to the applicants. Yes, you no longer need to submit an application for consent – you go to the list that has priority. But the original of the certificate still needs to be submitted to the university. And although the rules say that the originals must be carried in advance, and if the enrollment order has come out and you are in it, then everything is fine … I’m sure that the originals will be carried the same way, on the last days of admission or on the last day. For fidelity…

Indeed, the experience of last year, when all of a sudden, on the last 24 hours, targeted targets appeared on the lists, who were offered to go to the budget, and other citizens who poured in from nowhere, made many nervous. And someone and fly past the list. Therefore, the idea of ​​revoking consent is good only for those who have sky-high USE scores, a social quota, or other preferences that almost guarantee admission.

– I think that the priority of admission will help such applicants who are too afraid or insured, – says Arkady from the admissions committee of a medical university. – Often it comes from parents, is pumped up when there is no money for a paid department. We had such stories last year that people with average scores for the Unified State Examination were afraid that they would not pass, and applied to other cities where the passing score was lower. And now such a student will calmly indicate that he wants to join us, but if not, he will go somewhere to Saratov. Less excitement, more sense. If that’s how it works.

What else? The ministry stated that the submission of documents through the state portal will be facilitated, and the “Go online” service will be debugged. But what is absolutely certain is the same dates for the admission campaign for all universities and even for all forms of education. The admission campaign starts no later than June 20, 2023, the acceptance of documents without DWI will end no earlier than July 20-25 absolutely everywhere.