As final-year high school students prepare intensively for their exams, many are already thinking about their future studies, which they will be able to choose from June 1. However, some of them are still unaware of another great opportunity—early admission. This option can serve as a guarantee of fulfilling their dream, a backup plan, or even a safety net in case things do not go as planned.

Students Are Held Back by Myths

Early admission is a great opportunity for both this year’s high school graduates and those who obtained their diplomas earlier. Although interest in early admission is growing each year, many students are still unaware of it or have been misled by various myths.

According to Dr. Justė Rožėnė, Director of the Admissions and Information Center at VILNIUS TECH, the term "early admission" often sounds to students like a binding commitment that limits their options and takes away their right to change their minds. They frequently ask how it is possible to get admitted to a university before even graduating from high school.

"In reality, early admission is not a formal admission process—signing a contract with the university signifies only your intention to study a selected program. It is a myth that you are obligated to enroll at that university or that you will face penalties or other commitments if you decide not to proceed. In fact, you are free to change your mind without any consequences," says Dr. Rožėnė.

Nearly All Early Admission Students Study for Free

Another common myth concerns university scholarships for those who apply through early admission, meet the necessary requirements, but do not secure a state-funded place. Many students mistakenly believe they will have to repay the scholarship money.

At VILNIUS TECH, students can receive scholarships covering their full tuition fees if their competitive score is above 7 for social sciences, business, and public administration programs, or above 6 for arts, engineering, IT, and mathematics programs.

"We fully cover tuition fees for the first year. If your academic performance remains at a standard or excellent level, we continue financing your studies until you secure a state-funded position or complete your degree. So, nearly all students who apply through early admission end up studying for free, and there is no need to repay the scholarship after graduation," Dr. Rožėnė reassures.

Early Admission as a Form of Insurance for the Future

According to specialists, not considering early admission is one of the biggest mistakes applicants make. Since this process does not bind students to a university, they do not even have to list the chosen program in the LAMA BPO system. By signing this contract, students have everything to gain and nothing to lose. This is especially beneficial for those who are certain about their desired study program and institution, even if they only secure a non-state-funded place.

"For example, if you are 100% sure that your dream program is Creative Industries and you do not want to risk losing your chance to study it, you should submit an early admission application, sign an Intent to Study agreement, and, when filling out your LAMA BPO application, prioritize a state-funded spot first and a non-funded spot second. If you fail to secure a state-funded place after two admission rounds but are admitted to a non-funded place, we will provide you with a scholarship covering your tuition fees," explains the VILNIUS TECH Admissions Director.

Early admission is also recommended for students who are unsure about their chances, as it acts as a form of insurance that can help in unexpected situations.

"It sometimes happens that a student performs well in school but does not do as well on their exams, putting their chances of securing a state-funded place at risk. Alternatively, like last year, when many students achieved high exam scores, both state-funded and non-funded places required exceptionally high competitive scores, making admission much more difficult. However, by signing an Intent to Study agreement during early admission, the chances of securing a spot in your dream program increase significantly. Even if you are admitted to a non-funded place, you may still receive a scholarship," adds Dr. Rožėnė.

Pay Attention to the Requirements

Of course, to take advantage of early admission, students must first meet the conditions outlined in the Intent to Study agreement. For example, those who have already completed state-funded studies or whose competitive score does not meet the required threshold are not eligible.

It is also important to note that not all study programs offer this opportunity—students cannot apply for part-time studies or programs requiring entrance exams, such as Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Aircraft Piloting, and Air Traffic Control.

However, if both parties meet the requirements, applicants need to complete a free early admission application by May 30, submit a copy of their identification document, and provide a copy of their high school diploma and its supplement (if they graduated earlier).

Once the Intent to Study agreement is signed, the final step during the general admission process is to prioritize the chosen study program’s state-funded position as the first choice in the LAMA BPO system, and the non-funded position as the second choice.

For more information, visit the official website.