Choosing where and what to study is an important decision, but the application process itself can be just as demanding. According to Dr. Juste Rozene, Director of the Admission and information centre at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), applicants sometimes make mistakes that can lead to losing a chance of becoming part of their dream studies.
 

According to Dr. Rozene, the cost of such mistakes is huge, as both young people and their parents feel the consequences. To ensure that the university application process is successful and smooth, Dr. J. Rozene identifies the common mistakes made by prospective students and shares advice on how to avoid them.

Start researching in advance

Where do applicants most often go wrong? They fail to inquire about changes and news in the application process. Procedures change constantly, so it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest information. This information is shared by the National education agency as well as the Ministry of education, science and sport, which also prepares a checklist for high school graduates with the most important information about graduation exams, admission conditions for vocational and higher education institutions, and innovations.

Useful information can be found not only on the internet - Dr. Rozene encourages using all opportunities: "If schools organise open door days - go. It would be a shame to miss them. Attend open lectures with students, look around, evaluate whether you like the classrooms, lecturers, and atmosphere."

You can learn a lot at study fairs, however, students often spend all day having fun or and perhaps only visiting the stands of institutions they are interested in. Dr. J. Rozene invites you to also look into institutions you do not plan to apply to. Major universities like VILNIUS TECH have many study programs, so it's likely that knowledge about them will expand your options, and you might unexpectedly choose a profession you've never heard of but find interesting.

Some students also make the mistake of limiting themselves to just one city.

"For example, students from Kaunas often choose institutions in their city. Don't do that - if you have the opportunity to travel, inquire about universities in other cities. It may happen that the competition at your city institution is huge, while elsewhere it's smaller, making it easier to get into the desired study program," says J. Rozene.

Insure yourself by signing a pre-admission agreement

It is essential to inquire about pre-admission possibilities. Although this may sound obliging, Dr. J. Rozene reassures that by signing a pre-admission agreement, you show that you intend to study at the chosen institution, which you haven't applied yet. This could be very useful in the final stage of admission.

"This is your insurance. Suppose you signed a pre-admission agreement because you are 100 percent sure that creative industries are your dream program. When filling out the LAMA BPO application, you will first apply for a state funded place, and in the second position, you will indicate a paid one. In this case, even if you fail to get into the funded place after two rounds, you can still get into the paid one. By signing the agreement, the university will see that you have fulfilled the conditions of the pre-admission agreement you signed, so they will compensate you for your studies 100 percent! If during your studies you maintain a grade point average above the group average, the compensation will continue in the second and third year. Pre-admission is your safety net," Dr. Juste Rozene points out.

How to choose a study program wisely?

Specialists from the Admission and information centre often receive the question - what is needed to get into one or another study program? It is advised not to think only about the program but rather to find out what is required for the chosen field of study. For example, all computer science study programs have the same requirements for exam results.

However, not all older school students have their direction of study worked out yet. Some level of uncertainty is related to a lack of confidence. The confusion when choosing is also caused by cleverly crafted study program names. For example, "Multimedia and computer design" may sound like an art-oriented study program to many, but choosing it requires both math and computer science. According to the director of the Admission and information centre, relying solely on the name of the study program is a big mistake.

"The names are created to attract and intrigue. You need to delve into the description of the study program. You will see online what you will study and whether it meets your expectations. It is also recommended to ask current students about what and how is taught," advises Dr. J. Rozene.

When choosing a study program, it is important to answer a few questions for yourself: what do I like, what are my values, what am I good at, and what do I want? And then find out what the job market trends are. Choosing an unpopular speciality can greatly hinder job search in the future. To avoid this, the specialist recommends paying attention to the dominant news in the media. They, as well as scholarships awarded by employers, indicate which specialities are prospective and in demand. It is also useful to evaluate employment indicators, average salaries after completing various programs; to find out which study programs are at the top of the list of state and world priority programs as well as which study programs have their funding reduced every year.

Take the final steps responsibly

Mistakes can also be made when approaching the finish line - the main admission stage. Many young people delay registering in the LAMA BPO system. According to Dr. J. Rozene, it is best to do this at the beginning of June.

"When you enter all your data, start marking the study programs that interest you. If you enrol in a program that requires additional tests or entry exams, the LAMA BPO system itself will send you reminders and updates. This way, you won't miss anything, and nothing will be late," advises the Director of VILNIUS TECH SPIC.

Filling out data in the LAMA BPO form is a highly responsible task. One careless mistake can cost you dearly. For example, if you enter your email address incorrectly, on the crucial day, you won't receive a letter about admission to the university.

Another significant mistake is to list only 1 or 2 out of 9 possible preferences and not have a backup plan. If the selected programs do not attract enough potential students and groups are not formed, young people don't get admitted anywhere that year. When filling in the empty spaces on the list of preferences, preliminary research on various institutions' study programs comes in handy.

The same sad scenario awaits if you forget to sign the contract after being admitted to the university. According to Dr. J. Rozene, it often happens that young people go on vacation without authorising anyone else to sign the contract or without setting up the option to sign the contract remotely. Take care of this in advance, and you will successfully overcome all stages of admission.