One or Many? Using the New Opportunities of the Unified State Exam in Russian University Admissions

Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning. 2014. Vol. 16. No. 1. P. 34–49.

Ампилогов А. И., Прахов И. А., Юдкевич М. М.

The new system of university admissions in Russia has simplified the process of university entry by decreasing transaction costs associated with the university choice and application process. While procedure now allows applicants to apply to several higher education institutions at the same time, many students do not take advantage of this opportunity and apply only to a single university. In this study we analyze the factors that influence application strategies, whether to apply to only one institution or to apply to several. We argue that higher scores at Unified State Examination (USE) predict a higher probability of multiple applications. Additionally, graduating from a high school that offers advanced training in a particular discipline positively influences this probability. The variables of family income and social capital, a parent’s level of education, and their age, as well as attending additional programs of pre-entry training are statistically insignificant. Thus we demonstrate that while the access is widening, some prospective students do not use all opportunities associated with the new mechanisms of access.

Ключевые слова: university admissions, application strategy, access to education, higher education

ПУБЛИКАЦИЯ ПОДГОТОВЛЕНА ПО РЕЗУЛЬТАТАМ ПРОЕКТА: Академическая профессия в России в межстрановом контексте: академические контракты, нормы и структуры управления (2014)