Education

8 University Admissions Trends for 2024

8 University Admissions Trends for 2024

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Applicants are increasingly applying through the online super service

The super service "Online University Admission" was launched in 2020 and underwent a serious test in 2022. This year, 850 universities connected to the system, and 336,000 applicants used its services. However, numerous issues emerged during operation, leading to the creation of a working group of leading university rectors to optimize and improve the super service's functionality.

During the 2024 admissions campaign, the number of complaints about the super service decreased, but they still occur. In some regions, issues were encountered with displaying the deadline for submitting original certificates for state-funded places. Furthermore, some admissions committee staff noted that incorrect data entered by applicants when filling out applications could not be corrected after they were downloaded from the "Online University Admission" system. This creates additional difficulties for applicants and requires further improvement of the service's functionality.

Most applicants seeking state-funded places chose the super service for their application process. Online application has become standard practice, ensuring convenience and accessibility.

At the end of July, Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov reported that of the 974,000 applicants who applied for admission to universities, 46% (approximately 448,000 people) did so through the government services portal. By comparison, last year, the share of applicants using this super service was 35%. This trend indicates the growing popularity of digital solutions in the higher education admissions process.

By August 19, according to information announced at a government meeting by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, the "Online University Admission" super service was available to 455,000 users, accounting for 44% of all applicants. However, at the end of July, the Ministry of Digital Development reported that 600,000 people had already used this service.

Despite the existing discrepancies, it is clear that the super service is becoming increasingly popular among applicants, and hundreds of thousands of users are using it. Technical improvements are also noticeable, indicating the ongoing development of the platform.

What might change in the future? In today's world, change occurs at a rapid pace, and this affects all areas of life. Technology continues to evolve, leading to new opportunities and challenges. The economy is also undergoing transformations, which may impact the labor market and the way business is done. Social and cultural changes are shaping new trends, influencing societal norms and values. The environmental situation requires society to take action, which may alter approaches to resources and consumption. The political situation can also have a significant impact on international relations and the domestic affairs of countries. It is important to be prepared for change and adapt to new conditions to successfully meet the challenges of the future. Superservice will likely continue to develop, while traditional methods such as in-person appointments and sending documents by mail will gradually become a thing of the past. The Ministry of Education and Science previously expressed intentions to fully automate the admissions process, which is related to changes in the admissions procedure. Perhaps these plans will be revisited in the coming years, making the process more convenient and efficient for applicants.

The process has never become transparent and convenient, and some are even trying to make money off of it.

Applicants face difficulties assessing their chances in the competitive lists, as they can change the information about the original certificate in the online application at any time, transferring it from one university to another. Despite the fact that the competitive lists are updated several times a day, it remains unclear which competitors will remain in the fight for a place until the end and how this will affect your position on the list. This creates uncertainty and makes it difficult to plan further steps when entering a university.

Photo: RUT MIIT / Unsplash

The "top priority" mark that universities indicate in the super service for Applicants' scores do not guarantee admission. They merely indicate that the applicant currently meets the score requirements for a state-funded place. However, admissions officers, when assigning these scores, cannot accurately predict whether other applications with higher scores will appear in the competition or which applicants will decide to submit or withdraw their original transcripts. Therefore, it is important to understand that this score is not a definitive indicator of successful admission. Assessing one's chances of admission to universities has become a real challenge, leading to the emergence of paid services to help navigate the competitive lists. The "Kipyashchiy MEPhI" Telegram channel noted growing interest in such consultations. In 2024, the cost of such services turned out to be quite high, indicating an increased demand for professional assistance in this area.

While applicants with varying results tried to determine whether they would be able to receive a state-funded place at their chosen university, admissions committees used various methods to encourage them to submit original transcripts in advance. In some cases, they stated that this was the only way to guarantee a place in a dormitory, while in others, they deliberately misrepresented the deadline for submitting documents.

Changes can affect various aspects of our lives. This can concern both personal and social spheres. For example, in the economy, fluctuations in the prices of goods and services may occur, affecting the purchasing power of citizens. In the social sphere, changes in legislation are possible that could improve or worsen people's living conditions. Technological innovations can change familiar processes, increase work efficiency, and simplify everyday tasks. Furthermore, changes can affect environmental aspects, leading to the need to adapt to new environmental conditions. It is important to be prepared for change and understand its significance for our lives and future.

Last year, the Ministry of Education and Science considered fundamental changes to the university admissions process. One proposal was to introduce lists of applicants recommended for admission, who would automatically be eligible for state-funded places without having to provide an original certificate. This simplification could significantly simplify the admissions process. The ministry will likely return to this initiative in the future. Its implementation requires improvements to the online service responsible for the admissions process.

It appears that the passing scores this year were higher than last year.

Qualitative information on admissions results will not be available until early 2025, when the Russian Ministry of Education and Science publishes federal statistical data. At the same time, ministry representatives and heads of several universities have already announced an increase in Unified State Exam scores.

  • At Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, it's up 1.5 points compared to last year.
  • At Saint Petersburg Mining University, it's up almost seven points in core mathematics and almost nine in physics, as well as ten points in the most popular specialties. The average score for applicants to the Oil and Gas Engineering and Technology program increased from 248.6 to 259.2, and for Mechanical Engineering, from 232.9 to 241.2.
  • At MAI, the average Unified State Exam score for those admitted through the competition was 81.86, up more than four points compared to last year.
  • At MISIS, an increase of 2.95 points was observed — the average score for this year’s first-year students was 90.07 points.
  • At Baumanka, an increase of 7.9 points — from 80.6 last year to 88.55.

Moscow State University noted that applicants in the class of 2023 demonstrated the best results on the Unified State Exam in mathematics. This indicates an improvement in the level of preparation of schoolchildren and their desire to enter prestigious universities.

Most likely, this was due to the overall improvement in Unified State Exam (USE) results in specialized mathematics and physics, noted by Rosobrnadzor. During the main exam period, the average score in mathematics in the country increased by almost seven points, and in physics by almost ten. A significant number of graduates achieved the maximum score of 100 points in each of these subjects, and the number of those who scored over 60 points increased by 25-30%. These data indicate an increase in the level of preparation of schoolchildren and a growing interest in these subjects.

Photo: Nikolay Tsybikov / Shutterstock

Experts predicted an increase in scores in mathematics even before the start of the examination campaign. This is due to changes in the scales for converting primary USE scores into test scores. The most significant changes affected specialized mathematics and physics, making it possible to achieve high scores by completing a smaller percentage of assignments compared to previous years. These innovations may have a positive impact on student achievement and alter the overall picture of academic performance in these subjects.

What might change in the future? With the rapid development of technology and dynamic changes in society, many aspects of our lives are subject to transformation. This applies to both business and personal life. In the field of technology, we can expect the emergence of new innovative solutions that will change familiar processes. The economy will also adapt to new conditions, which may lead to changes in demand for certain goods and services.

Furthermore, changes in the social environment, such as demographic shifts and changing consumer habits, will impact the market. These factors may lead to the emergence of new niches and opportunities for development. It is important to be prepared to adapt and open to new ideas to successfully cope with the upcoming changes.

Paying attention to forecasts and trends will help us not only understand what may change but also prepare for these changes, allowing us to effectively utilize the opportunities they bring.

The passing and average scores for the Unified State Exam in 2025 will depend on possible changes to the exam format and the list of required subjects for admission. The draft list of entrance examinations for the 2025/2026 academic year proposes the introduction of a mandatory exam in physics for a number of engineering specialties. These changes could significantly impact competitive scores and applicant requirements, so it is important to follow the latest news and updates in the field of education.

If the new list is adopted in its current form, the passing and average scores for admission to engineering specialties may be lowered in 2025. This is due to the fact that passing the Unified State Exam in physics is significantly more difficult than in computer science. As a result, students with more advanced knowledge of computer science may gain an advantage in admission. This change in the assessment system could impact the choice of majors and the quality of training for future specialists in engineering and technology.

There is a possibility that, when applying to engineering programs, Russian language scores will not be combined with results in core subjects such as mathematics, physics, and computer science. Universities may only consider results in a pass/fail format. This information was announced by the Ministry of Education and Science two years ago. A similar proposal was recently put forward by the All-Russian Congress of Physics Teachers.

This year, experimental changes to the mathematics exam format are expected in some regions of the country. The basic and advanced levels will be combined into a single exam, consisting of two parts of varying difficulty. This innovation is aimed at streamlining the student assessment process and creating a more flexible examination system.

The new targeted admissions mechanism appears to have failed to live up to expectations.

Applicants in 2024 were the first to encounter the new rules for admission to targeted education. These changes are aimed at streamlining the admissions process and improving conditions for students seeking education in a targeted field. The new criteria and procedures will help ensure a more transparent and fair selection process, which is important for both educational institutions and applicants.

We covered this topic in detail in a separate article. In short:

  • Targeted admission has become more accessible, but the long-standing problem of low occupancy rates for targeted places has not been resolved. It appears that the new procedure has not particularly increased the popularity of targeted education as a means of future employment. He simply made it more accessible to anyone who wants to use it as a backup option for admission to a state-funded place.
  • Clients are unhappy that they are deprived of the opportunity to meet candidates for targeted training before they are admitted. On the one hand, this was done to eliminate corruption in the procedure. On the other hand, it turns out that conscientious clients cannot assess whether a particular applicant is interested in the future work offered by the client or whether this is simply a way for them to get a state-funded place. Moreover, applicants themselves are unable to assess the attractiveness of a future job based solely on a sparse description of its conditions in the application, without having visited the enterprise itself.
  • The fact that applicants could only respond to one targeted training offer under the quota created a problem. This was problematic for applicants themselves, universities, and clients. Let us clarify: the competition for targeted places can be detailed—this is when a mini-competition is held for each offer. If an applicant fails this mini-competition, but there are targeted spots in this specialty offered by other clients, or even other offers from the same client, and there are few or no applicants, the applicant can no longer respond to them. As a result, both the customers and the universities did not fill the quota, and applicants who wanted to become targeted students had to enroll under the general conditions.
Photo: AnnaStills / Shutterstock

What can change in your life? Changes can concern various aspects, such as your career, personal relationships, health, or finances. It is important to understand that changes can be both positive and negative. Positive changes can lead to new opportunities, an improved quality of life, and personal growth. Negative changes, in turn, can be caused by external circumstances or internal conflicts.

The key to successful change is the ability to adapt and respond to new conditions. Developing a flexible mindset and being open to new ideas will help you cope with change more easily. It is also worth paying attention to planning and strategy. A clear understanding of your goals and how to achieve them can significantly facilitate the process of adapting to new conditions.

It is important to remember that change is a natural part of life. It can open new horizons and contribute to development. Therefore, it is important to perceive it as an opportunity for growth and improvement, and not an obstacle.

The disadvantages of the new targeted admissions procedure are discussed by the rectors of leading universities. Changes to this procedure can be expected throughout the year. Specific details and directions of the amendments remain unknown.

Universities again announced additional admission to a small number of places.

For the fourth year in a row, admission to state-funded places in the main competition is carried out in a single wave. This means that enrollment takes place after the distribution of places for applicants according to quotas and without entrance examinations for Olympiad winners. In previous years, state-funded places remained unfilled after the main competition, which led to additional enrollment or admission. Thus, an additional wave is formed, in which applicants who did not pass the main stage can participate. This opportunity provides a chance for those who want to receive a state-funded education but were unable to pass the competition in the first wave.

In 2024, changes are being observed in the university admission system; however, as in previous years, these changes are limited. They do not affect all educational institutions and do not cover all programs of study. Therefore, applicants should not view this stage as a similar second wave, as was the case previously. It is important to carefully plan your actions and consider all current admissions requirements to successfully enroll at your chosen university.

On August 19, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko announced that, following the main round of admissions for state-funded places, 5,800 places remained vacant, and an additional admissions period was announced. This data is close to the information provided by the Vuzopedia service, which recorded 6,500 available state-funded places. However, it should be noted that this information is incomplete, as the number of vacancies is not known for all universities. On a national scale, where 620,500 state-funded places were allocated for admission at all levels of higher education, the shortfall appears minimal.

The Russian Ministry of Education and Science noted that most universities have successfully completed their student admissions. In a commentary for Vedomosti, the ministry reported that 70% of Russian technical universities, which typically record under-enrollment, had closed their state-funded places by August 9. This compares to 46% last year. This indicates positive trends in higher education and increased interest in technical specialties among applicants. What might change in your life? It's important to understand that changes can occur in both personal and professional spheres. This could be related to career development, improved financial situation, changes in relationships, or personal growth. Professional changes may include upgrading skills, changing jobs, or starting your own business. Personal changes are often associated with improved health, moving to another city, or starting a new relationship. Lifestyle changes can also be important. For example, switching to a healthier diet or regular exercise can significantly impact your overall well-being.

It's important to remember that change can evoke both positive and negative emotions. However, by embracing change, you open up new opportunities for growth and development. The key is to be prepared to adapt to new conditions and use them to your advantage.

Thus, life changes can affect various aspects and open new horizons, contributing to your personal and professional development.

The return of two-wave admissions is unlikely, as the Russian Ministry of Education and Science consistently maintains that the current single-wave admissions system is highly effective, and that admissions campaigns are successful. The minister's assessment for 2021, when the new system was first implemented, was positive, similar to assessments for 2022 and 2023. According to preliminary data from the ministry, the results of the 2024 admissions campaign will even exceed the previous year's figures. Rectors of educational institutions generally support this positive assessment. Thus, it can be concluded that the current admissions procedure is trustworthy and will continue to work in the future.

The Ministry of Education openly states that the single-wave admissions system works in the interests of regional universities, where a significant portion of state-funded places are sent. This is due to the fact that with only one wave, applicants are less willing to take risks and wait for admission results to capital universities. As a result, many prefer to submit original certificates to regional universities, where competition is lower and the likelihood of admission is higher.

The most popular programs are IT, medicine, and law, while engineering and science are less popular.

Among the popular programs of study that are in high demand among applicants, a representative of the Ministry of Education and Science, in a comment to Vedomosti, singled out IT specialties exclusively. These include "Computer Science and Engineering," "Information Systems and Technology," "Applied Computer Science," "Software Engineering," and "Information Security." These fields of knowledge are relevant in today's labor market and offer graduates excellent prospects for career advancement and professional development. In the context of rapid technological development and digitalization of society, the demand for qualified specialists in the field of information technology continues to grow.

Photo: Stock 4you / Shutterstock

The Ministry of Digital Development has published a list of the most popular areas of study, based on The number of applications submitted through the "Online University Admission" super service. In addition to IT specialties, this list also includes the fields of "Jurisprudence" and "General Medicine." This demonstrates the high interest of applicants in legal and medical professions, which may reflect the current needs of the labor market.

The Russian Ministry of Education traditionally reports high competition for admission to pedagogical universities, where 370,000 applications were submitted for 38,600 budget-funded places. However, the level of competition varies significantly depending on the specific educational institution and training program. According to the educational portal "Vuzopedia," a number of universities have announced additional admissions for pedagogical specialties, which may increase applicants' chances of admission.

According to Olga Lyubimova, the average competition at creative universities in Russia is 23 applicants per place. This demonstrates the high interest of applicants in creative specialties and the competitiveness of educational institutions in this field. The increasing number of applicants to creative universities underscores the development of the cultural sphere and the importance of arts education in modern society.

Despite the importance of training specialists in the state-prioritized technical and natural science fields, many universities continue to face difficulties in this area. For example, as reported on the "Boiling MEPhI" Telegram channel, Tomsk State University, one of the country's leading universities outside the capitals, announced guaranteed admission to the Physics program for applicants who score 160 points on three Unified State Exams (USE). This means that all applicants who provide original certificates and meet the specified criteria will be eligible for state-funded tuition. Even if the number of state-funded places is insufficient, the university will cover the tuition costs of these students. Such initiatives highlight the importance of supporting and developing technical education in the country.

Tomsk State University of Radioelectronics and Control Systems (TUSUR) offered guaranteed admission to all applicants who applied to priority programs and had minimum Unified State Exam scores. These minimum scores are required for admission to the competition. However, despite this initiative, the university later announced an additional recruitment round, indicating that the state-funded places were not fully filled the first time.

In recent years, due to a shortage of applicants for state-funded places, as Izvestia reported, regional universities have resorted to the practice of enrolling fictitious students. These "dead souls" were acquaintances of university staff or random people without a higher education. They were enrolled in state-funded places, although they showed no interest in studying and did not actually begin classes. In some cases, such applicants were not even aware that their documents were being used for this scheme. For example, in one known case, a pensioner's daughter submitted her university application. This situation raises questions about transparency and ethics in the higher education system.

What might change in the future? Potential changes could affect various areas of life, such as technology, ecology, economics, and social relations. Technological progress will lead to the emergence of new devices and solutions that will simplify everyday tasks and improve comfort. Environmental changes may affect the climate, necessitating adaptation to new living conditions and changing habits. Economic transformations may lead to changes in the labor market and the emergence of new professions. Social relations will evolve, influencing human interactions and the formation of new social norms. Thus, changes may affect all aspects of life and will require flexibility and a willingness to adapt.

New initiatives are expected to improve the teaching of mathematics, physics, and chemistry in secondary schools, which will help prepare students for entry into technical and natural science fields. Last year, the Ministry of Education and Science, together with the Ministry of Public Education, launched a plan to develop engineering education. It should be noted that the results of these measures will not be immediate, and discussions are ongoing on how to increase the number of students prepared for engineering careers. These steps are important for building a high-quality talent pool in science and technology.

There are more Olympiad winners, but getting into a good university "just by passing the Unified State Exam" is even more difficult.

Some Olympiad winners, who had the right to priority admission without entrance exams, failed to get budget places.

Photo: Halfpoint / Shutterstock

In 2021, a similar situation occurred, as a result of which Olympiad winners' privileges were limited. Since then, they have been able to take advantage of the right to admission without exams at only one university and for one specialty. This innovation is aimed at simplifying the admissions process and optimizing competition among applicants.

In 2024, this restriction became a serious obstacle for many who were unable to get a place. Three factors played a significant role:

  • The number of Olympiad winners has increased compared to previous years. This was reported in mid-July, among others, by MIPT, MEPhI, RANEPA, Tomsk and St. Petersburg Polytechnic Universities, and Bauman Moscow State Technical University.
  • Olympiad winners are not distributed evenly across different universities in different regions of the country, but mainly apply for popular programs at the same top Moscow universities (back in 2021, the Minister of Education and Science said that 70% of Olympiad winners are admitted to ten universities in Russia).
  • Olympiad winners can only use the right to admission without exams at one university in one specialty. And if there is not enough space there, then the applicant will no longer have the right to use this opportunity at another university or at the same university, but in a different specialty.

It is useful for an Olympiad winner to apply not only to the special competition, but also to the main one, which implies admission based on the results of the Unified State Exam. This gives them additional chances for successful admission. If an applicant relies solely on their special right or fails to meet the score requirements in the main competition, they may be left without a state-funded place. It is important to assess your capabilities in advance and consider all admission options to minimize risks.

This year, Sechenov University faced a unique set of circumstances.

The law does not establish quotas for places or limits on the percentage of admission for applicants who participate in Olympiads. In contrast, specific quotas are established for those entitled to benefits and those receiving targeted programs, who are accepted by universities on a priority basis. These quotas are mandatory, and educational institutions cannot deviate from them. In the field of medicine, the quota for those receiving targeted programs is quite high and can reach 70% or more, depending on the specialty. As a result, during priority admission, universities first accept those entitled to benefits and those receiving targeted programs, and the remaining places are distributed among Olympiad participants. If the number of Olympiad winners in a particular specialty is too high, there may not be enough available spots. Therefore, it's important to keep in mind that competition for spots for Olympiad winners may be significantly higher than for other categories of applicants.

The situation at Sechenov University raises serious questions. University representatives reported that after admitting applicants under quotas for the General Medicine specialty, 140 state-funded spots remained. Meanwhile, 203 Olympiad winners applied for admission without entrance examinations. During the application process, applicants were advised to simultaneously apply to other medical schools, given the high competition. However, not everyone heeded this advice. Perhaps some of them mistakenly believed that their priority was higher than that of those entering under quotas, or simply did not have a clear understanding of the situation.

Photo: Gorgev / Shutterstock

At Sechenovka A decision was made to admit Olympiad winners who found themselves in difficult situations using university funds. In previous years, other prestigious universities have also resorted to similar measures. However, this temporary decision highlights the need to review existing admissions rules and procedures. Due to a shortage of places for Olympiad winners, regular applicants admitted to general places based on their Unified State Exam results without any benefits found themselves at a disadvantage. They essentially had no chance, as priority admission completely took up all available places. Thus, the main competition can be considered non-existent, since all places were distributed among those with benefits, targeted students, and Olympiad winners even before the start of the main stage. A situation where the number of Olympiad winners exceeds the number of students admitted through the Unified State Exam is quite rare. More often than not, an increase in the number of Olympiad winners leads to a reduction in places available for the main competition after priority admission, which makes the competition more stringent. This primarily affects leading and popular universities. For example, at MGIMO, the number of Olympiad winners admitted in 2024 exceeded the number of applicants admitted based on their Unified State Exam results. According to TASS, Olympiad winners accounted for between 1% and 18% of all state-funded places at various Moscow universities. This trend underscores the importance of participating in Olympiads for applicants seeking admission to prestigious educational institutions.

This year, the number of students admitted under a separate quota for preferential categories has increased. However, as Mikhail Gordin, Rector of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, notes, the main factor in tightening the competition for regular applicants is not the number of preferential categories, but the number of Olympiad winners. For example, 2,281 people were admitted to Baumanka through the general competition, 192 through a separate quota, 326 without entrance examinations (primarily Olympiad winners), and 771 through a targeted quota. These data highlight the importance of the Olympiad movement and its impact on competition among applicants.

What can change in your life? Changes can affect various aspects, including personal relationships, career, health, and financial situation. It is important to understand that changes can be both positive and negative. Sometimes they happen unexpectedly, while other times they require extensive preparation and effort. Accepting and adapting to change can significantly improve your quality of life. Be open to new opportunities, and you will be better able to cope with any changes that may come your way.

The Russian Ministry of Education and Science has announced a plan to reduce the number of Olympiads that grant admission to universities without entrance examinations. The introduction of restrictions on the number of state-funded places for Olympiad winners, not exceeding 70% of the total number of places in certain specialties or fields of study, is also being considered. Currently, draft changes to the admissions procedure to higher education institutions have not yet been developed. It is important to note that the rights of current Olympiad winners will be preserved: they will be able to exercise their right to admission based on their Olympiad results for four years after the Olympiad. It is expected that the new rules will be introduced with a transition period in mind, allowing existing Olympiad winners to complete their studies without losing their rights.

Universities and regions again attracted applicants with money

Applicants compete for places at prestigious universities, while the universities and regions themselves vie to attract high-scorers and Olympiad winners. These students play a key role in the quality of admission. This is especially important for regional universities, as talented applicants often choose capital-city institutions. However, problems with student enrollment in technical programs also force capital-city universities to compete for "quality" applicants. In the face of increasing competition, universities need to develop effective strategies to attract talented young people in order to improve their position and reputation in the educational environment.

Photo: Dejan Dundjerski / Shutterstock

In In 2023, the practice of attracting applicants through financial incentives continued. In the Omsk Region, scholarships ranging from 30,000 to 120,000 rubles were introduced for high-scoring students applying to local universities. In the Murmansk Region, applicants can count on not only scholarships but also one-time payments. These measures are aimed at supporting talented young people and enhancing the competitiveness of the region's educational institutions.

MIPT, a leading Russian university, achieved a record average Unified State Exam (USE) score among those entering the Class of 2023—96.6 points. In connection with this, the university announced a payment of 100,000 rubles to each applicant who received 100 points on the exams. Thus, a student who scored the maximum 300 points will be eligible to receive 300,000 rubles. This decision underscores the institution's high standards and support for talented students.

At Moscow universities, applicants with high scores can expect increased scholarships. For example, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI offers a scholarship of 100,000 rubles for the first five months of study, which is awarded provided the student's score on three Unified State Exams exceeds 260. However, to receive this scholarship, students must successfully pass the entrance exam within the first two weeks of study. RUDN University also offers increased scholarships, but with more stringent criteria. Here, the scholarship is 600,000 rubles for the first year of study, and is only available to students who were admitted with 300 Unified State Exam scores and continue to excel in their studies. These initiatives are aimed at supporting talented students and improving the quality of education in Russia.

In the 2024/2025 academic year, 441 applicants with the highest Unified State Exam scores were admitted to the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), significantly exceeding the 2023 figure of 175 such students. Of the new students, 91 scored 100 points in two subjects, and 12 achieved the maximum score in three subjects. According to data compiled by TASS based on information provided by universities about the admissions campaign, of the 648 applicants who scored 200 points, 43% were admitted to the country's three leading educational institutions: Moscow State University, MIPT, and HSE. More than half of the 42 applicants who scored 300 points were also admitted to these universities.

What could change in your life? Changes can affect various aspects, including career, personal relationships, health, and financial situation. Each of these elements can undergo transformation, bringing new opportunities and challenges. Career changes can lead to new professional achievements, while changes in your personal life can improve the quality of your relationships. Physical health and well-being can also be subject to change, affecting overall vitality. Financial aspects, including income and expenses, can also fluctuate, creating new budgeting conditions. It is important to be prepared for change and perceive it as an opportunity for growth and development.

During the next admissions campaign, competition among universities for applicants with high scores may intensify. Leading metropolitan universities will maintain their strong positions, as they offer a high level of education and ample opportunities for career advancement. Some regional universities also have a chance to attract high-scorers, but, as experience from past admissions campaigns shows, this is more influenced by changes in admissions rules than by promotions or the introduction of scholarships. For example, since 2022, the cancellation of the second wave of admissions has led to many applicants preferring to submit original certificates to universities outside the capital, where admissions competition is lower. This change in admission rules creates new strategies for both applicants and universities themselves, which must adapt to changing conditions in the education market.