Current year brings a clear path for schoolchildren aiming to enter undergraduate and specialist programs at universities, with practical steps that can shape success. Ekaterina Vershinina, a recognized specialist in university admissions, holds a candidacy in technical sciences and serves as associate professor at Mendeleev Russian Chemical Technical University. She recently highlighted the essential points students should focus on as they prepare for admission, emphasizing a strategic approach to the entire process. Her insights center on planning, timing, and making informed choices that align with each student’s strengths and goals. Vershinina’s guidance is widely respected among families, counselors, and school leaders who want a confident plan rather than last‑minute guesswork.
In practical terms, applicants are advised to identify five preferred educational institutions and to establish clear priorities among them. A thoughtful list helps students compare what each university offers, from degree programs to campus culture and potential career trajectories. A critical early step is to review university websites—checking admission requirements, deadlines for document submission, and the dates when internal exams or entrance tests take place. Students should note which achievements translate into extra points, how much weight school olympiads carry, and which examinations can boost or secure a higher passing score. This preparatory work provides a solid map for navigating the admission maze and avoids last‑minute scrambles. Vershinina’s approach is to encourage meticulous preparation while maintaining flexibility as timelines evolve near decision dates.
Experts urge applicants to pursue a dual-track strategy: apply promptly for both budget (state‑funded) places and paid (tuition) slots. This does not bar participation in the competition for a free seat; instead, it broadens the chances of securing a favorable outcome across institutions. Vershinina notes that contest dynamics can shift year by year, and broad early applications often result in more favorable options. She also reminds students not to fear aiming for top universities, as strong results and a well‑structured plan can lead to competitive outcomes even when competition remains intense. The adviser points to a real trend observed last year: the emphasis in admissions shifted toward regional universities, with capital institutions encountering certain gaps. This shift suggests that a thoughtful mix of target programs across regions can yield advantageous results for diligent applicants.
Valery Falkov, the former head of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, has remarked that fundamental changes are not expected in the new higher education system with respect to the unified state examination. In the face of evolving education policies, students and families should stay informed about policy updates while focusing on concrete, time‑tested preparation strategies. The overarching message from Falkov and from Vershinina is that steady, informed planning remains the most reliable path to success in the admission process. By balancing ambition with practical timelines, applicants can position themselves to take full advantage of the opportunities that higher education institutions offer and build a solid foundation for their future studies and careers.