How to apply at several universities

Russian law allows citizens who have successfully passed entrance tests in state universities to get higher education for free. And in order to increase their chances of admission, applicants can apply and participate in the competition of several educational institutions at once.

The procedure for admission to institutions of higher professional education, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education and Science No. 2895 of 12/28/2011, provides for applicants the opportunity to enroll in 5 universities at the same time, as well as choose up to 3 specialties or fields in each of them. In any case, first of all, you need to submit applications for admission to the first course to the selected universities.

The list of required documents is the same for all universities:

- statement;

- passport or other identification document;

- certificate of education (certificate, diploma of a secondary or higher professional educational institution);

- 4 photos (in case you need to pass additional tests or pass exams conducted by the university yourself);

- military ID (if available);

- documents confirming the right to benefits.

Basic information about a potential student should be set out in a statement. It indicates: last name, first name, patronymic, date of birth of the applicant, his passport data, the chosen direction or specialty, information about education, the results of the exam, about participation in competitions, the availability of benefits, as well as the need to provide a hostel. In addition, the applicant must confirm in writing that he is getting higher education for the first time and submits documents to no more than 5 universities. Also, the applicant needs to sign that he is familiar with the license and certificate of accreditation of the university, the rules for filing appeals based on the results of entrance examinations and the date of submission of the original education certificate.

Applicants at their discretion can submit both originals and photocopies of documents, and there is a direct prohibition for members of the admissions committee to require an original certificate or diploma, as well as other documents not provided for in the list. It is most optimal to submit photocopies to each of the selected universities: this will allow us to timely submit the original document of education to the educational institution to which the applicant passed through the competition, and not lose time to pick it up from the office of another university.

Annually, acceptance of applications for admission to the first year begins no later than June 20, and ends depending on the type of entrance tests accepted by the university:

- if necessary, passing additional exams of a creative or professional orientation - July 5;

- if the university conducts entrance tests independently - July 10;

- upon admission solely on the basis of the exam results - July 25.

The best time to apply to the selection committee is the middle of the deadline, when it is already possible to estimate the approximate number of applicants, the competition and the passing score. However, submitting documents to several universities, you should still inquire about the beginning and end of the acceptance of applications in each of them.

Admission to several universities at once is not an easy task, especially if they are located in different cities. However, it is possible to avoid standing in queues at the selection committee by sending an application for admission to the first year by mail, enclosing photocopies of the necessary documents, or in electronic digital form if the university provides such an opportunity. But it should be remembered that the university will accept the application only if it arrives before the completion of the acceptance of documents.