Exploring the Role of School Olympiads in University Admissions and Their Impact on Student Integration and Equity in Russian Higher Education

This paper examines the impact of university admission policies on the educational experiences of current students, with a particular focus on the role of school Olympiads in Russia. Olympiads have emerged as an alternative pathway to traditional entrance exams for gifted applicants, significantly affecting the composition of student bodies at selective universities. In 2021, Olympiad winners represented a substantial portion of the student intake at leading Russian universities: 46% at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) and 30% at the Higher School of Economics (HSE). Using administrative and survey data from MIPT and HSE, this research explores the relationship between Olympiad participation and both academic (dropout rates, participation in scientific projects) and social integration. It also examines the relationship between olympiad participation, student's socioeconomic status and their student experience. Unlike previous studies, this research uses a sample from two selective universities with different educational specializations and assesses student success from a medium-term perspective. This paper contributes to the understanding of Olympiads as a tool in university admission policies and their broader implications for educational equity and student success.