"Call your dad, I'm out of nerves." How applicants stormed universities in the final hours of the admissions campaign
By Friday, every state-funded applicant could make their final choice, and in case of doubts, transfer documents, which could be done exactly until 6:00 PM.
Onliner.by journalists visited three universities and saw what the last hours of document submission for a coveted state-funded place were like.
BSMU
This year, the admissions campaign for medical universities attracted special attention. It became known in spring that the admission procedure for future doctors would change.
The number of state-funded places increased, while paid places remained only for correspondence courses. Thus, future medics will no longer be able to receive a diploma without mandatory work placement: graduates of state-funded programs will have to work for two years, and those admitted through targeted enrollment — five years.
The journalists arrived at the leading medical university at 2 PM. There was noticeable activity near building No. 18. A large banner read: "Admissions Committee".
— They say we're passing to Vitebsk, — this is a fragment of a phone conversation from a father rushing past.
Applicants stand under the July sun: some hold folders with documents, others constantly check information on their phones.
Interestingly, many came with their parents, who don't even try to hide their excitement. Some mothers and fathers remain in parked cars nearby, occasionally glancing towards the building.
Among those passing by is the university rector, Sergey Rubnikovich. According to him, throughout the day, parents of applicants constantly approach him: some ask questions, others share their worries. Many, the rector says, are waiting for 3:00 PM — the moment when the penultimate update of passing scores will be published.
The last time information on the admission process will be updated is at 5 PM. After that, there will only be an hour left to make a final decision: to stay, withdraw documents, or transfer them to another specialty.
This year, an electronic queue appeared in all universities — applicants could book the day and time for document submission in advance through their personal account. However, the usual live queue also remained. Documents can be submitted with parents.
One of the applicants is Zhenya, sitting in the first row. Next to the girl is her mother, and a row above is her father. She doesn't specify how many points she scored during the conversation. Her mother only says that her daughter tried to apply through targeted enrollment but didn't succeed.
— I'm submitting documents for the pharmaceutical faculty. I'm still thinking whether to transfer them, — the girl admits with noticeable anxiety.
Masha is one of those who decided to transfer documents on the very last day. She still decided to try to enter the pharmaceutical faculty. She has 331 points.
— I knew I wouldn't pass, approximately on the fourth day. We waited, hoped, and in the end, everyone, like me, came on the last day, — the applicant smiles.
Sofia is near the auditorium where those who dream of becoming pediatricians submit their documents.
To the question of why she chose this direction, the girl smiles and replies: her scores allow it — she has 327. Initially, she also tried to apply through targeted enrollment but lacked just two points.
— Frankly, my mom followed the entire admissions campaign — I think she's even more worried than I am. We discussed that I could transfer documents to the general medicine faculty or the pharmaceutical faculty. But I want to go to pediatrics, — the girl says confidently.
— We arrived here at 12:30 PM, my ticket was for 2:20 PM. We decided we would wait until 6:00 PM. If anything, we'll transfer documents.
Meanwhile, the clock shows 3:00 PM. Alina and her mom are already outside. The girl says she just submitted documents for the preventive medicine faculty.
— We won't be transferring documents anymore. Since we've decided to pursue this profession, if it doesn't work out, we'll go to college for two years, study, and still come back here, — her mother says confidently.
Anna and her daughter arrived today from Novogrudok: they left at nine in the morning, and by 11:30 AM they were at the university. The goal is admission to the pharmaceutical faculty.
— At five o'clock they pick us up, and we go home. So we'll check the updates on the way. As always, parents worry more, — the woman smiles. — We were very worried when our daughter took the exam and applied through targeted enrollment. But now there's nothing to lose: if it works out, good, if not, we'll look for other options.
Nika, with 279 points, can also become a pharmacist. She already had to give up her first option — admission to the "bioengineering" specialty.
— It wasn't like I was upset: all options were thought out a year ago. We even found and spoke with those who had already studied these specialties — we approached the admission question seriously. So I'm unlikely to transfer documents.
Milana also says she doesn't plan to change her choice. She avoids mentioning her scores: they're not that high, she says. There seems to be no anxiety on the applicant's face — her mother, who works as a psychologist, smilingly notes that her daughter is already "worked through".
— We submitted documents for the "medical-biological science" specialty at BSU. Initially, we passed by scores, but today everything changed. So we decided to try to get into a state-funded place here. If it doesn't work out, we'll go for paid education at BSU, — the applicant's mother recounts.
Final information on the BSMU admissions campaign is promised to be published on Saturday morning.
BSUIR
At 4:00 PM, BSUIR Building No. 2. There is noticeable activity on the first floor: some carefully study information on the stands, others look for the right auditorium, guided by arrows on the floor, while others patiently wait, seated on benches.
All roads lead to the floor above. In the spacious room, parents and applicants are greeted by student volunteers. Standard questions are heard now and then:
— Do you have an electronic queue?
— Are you submitting documents or resubmitting?
Roma decided to transfer documents, withdrawing them from BNTU. His father quickly explains: a good chance to get a state-funded place appeared.
— He has 288 points — not that many. We didn't specifically wait until the last day: yesterday we found a good option and came today. If it doesn't work out, we'll go for paid education. By the way, I also graduated from BSUIR myself, — the man smiles.
Matvey came to submit documents with his mother, Tatyana. In total, the applicant has 312 points, of which the certificate brought an excellent 96. The boy's dream is to become a programmer.
— We submitted documents for the most in-demand specialties. Our older child is already studying here, so the younger one is, in a sense, following in their footsteps. We specifically waited for the last hours, but we don't plan to transfer documents. We won't stay until six in the evening: we came from afar, from the Mozyr region, so we'll go home soon.
Danila, on the other hand, plans to become an engineer. He says he submitted documents earlier but today decided to change the priorities of specialties, excluding one of them. His mother smiles and says she supports any decision of her son, although she offered him to consider specialties related to her field — economics.
— We will monitor the passing scores. My score is not that high — 332. If not, I'll go to BSU for the physics faculty.
Varvara says she submitted documents for an engineering specialty. According to her, she purposefully came to submit documents on the last day — literally two hours before the end of admissions.
— We monitored free places to be sure: I will definitely get a state-funded place. I came straight here, didn't transfer documents. We will stay here until six in the evening. If something goes wrong, we will consider other options.
— You look very confident. You probably have over 350 points?
— It's a secret, — the future student smiles.
Arina submitted documents for the general competition for several specialties at once, and at the time of our conversation (it was 4:20 PM), she was already definitely passing for at least one of them.
— I'm resubmitting documents: I decided that I want something more related to economics. If I don't get a state-funded place, most likely, I will transfer again. We won't wait until five in the evening today — we'll go home.
Closer to 5:00 PM, the movement doesn't subside. Parents increasingly look at their phones, waiting for the latest information on the admission process. Someone goes outside to get some fresh air, call relatives, or just catch their breath. Less and less time remains to make a final decision.
BSU
The journalists arrived at the BSU Law Faculty — the main document reception point — at 5:05 PM. The latest information on the admissions process was already posted on the information board. These are not yet the final figures, but they already allow for a general understanding of the situation.
Excited conversations can be heard in the background — predictably, all about admission, chances, and the question: "What if I need to transfer documents?"
Some approach the volunteer tents, asking clarifying questions about studying at specific faculties. There are no tears visible in the crowd — rather, tension can be felt in the air.
— We submitted documents on the very first day — to the Faculty of Economics, specialty "Finance and Credit". We came today because we are worried and following the situation, — Ira's mother says.
However, it seems there is no reason to worry: the girl has 390 points.
Ira says that today she and her mother specifically came to Minsk from the Brest region. But they won't stay until the "victorious" 6:00 PM after all.
Arina submitted documents to the Law Faculty on Monday. Her total score is 378. Compared to last year's passing score, she has a margin of about 16 points.
— I think I'll get in. I came today just for reassurance. We live nearby, so we decided to drop by and see. When I saw the lists, I felt much calmer.
Another applicant also says:
— I resubmitted documents: initially I applied with a medal, but didn't pass. I'm still worried, but that's it — we're just going home. If I had to rate my chances of admission on a ten-point scale, I'd give myself a seven.
It's 5:30 PM. Inside the Law Faculty, the atmosphere is both calm (no one is rushing) and tense (because the finale is very close).
Liza "fired off" on the first day, but also came today — "because it's calmer that way." The girl chose the Faculty of Journalism, specialty "Information and Communication". We jokingly note that we met a future colleague.
— I feel confident: I'm passing. I have 379 points, last year the passing score was 362, so I have a margin. According to the monitoring, I also hold a good position.
— We stand firm! — her mother adds with a smile, but confidently. — Out of 40 people, we are in 28th place.
Anya is standing in a small queue of those who are still submitting documents. Exactly 12 minutes remain until the end of the admissions campaign. Her choice is the Faculty of Philology.
— I monitored the passing scores, checked if I was passing or not, that's why I decided to come on the last day, — the girl says.
A few minutes before the end of document submission, we go outside. According to the rules, after 6:00 PM, it will be impossible to enter the building. However, for those already inside the building, documents will be accepted: the admissions committee works until the last applicant.
Pause.
— Two minutes left!
A moment later:
— If anyone else wants to submit documents, there are six to seven seconds left! — laughter is heard after these words.
— 30 seconds left!
Parents and still-applicants, who decided to wait until the end, film what is happening on their phones, smile, and some even hug.
Finally, the last announcement is made:
— Access to the building has been stopped!
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Some head to transport, discussing the events of the eventful evening along the way.
Now applicants can only wait. Enrollment for state-funded education will be completed by July 27, and documents for paid education are accepted until August 3.
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