Romania Begins High School Enrollment for 2026: Key Dates and Application Guidance

The process for high school admissions in Romania for the 2026 academic year begins on July 13, marking a significant step for eighth-grade graduates. Students, accompanied by their parents and class advisors, will have until July 20 to complete their application forms, which list their preferred high schools and specializations. The Ministry of Education emphasizes that the order in which these options are listed is paramount, as the computerized allocation system processes them strictly in the sequence provided. Any transcription errors in specialization codes or candidate data could impact the final placement, necessitating careful review and confirmation of printed forms. The Ministry has established a special phase for correcting such mistakes. When filling out the application, students should rank their choices according to their true desires, rather than attempting to predict their admission chances based on estimated grades or previous years' admission averages. The official guide for the allocation algorithm clarifies that the system does not disadvantage students who place a highly desired school first, even if admission seems challenging. The algorithm evaluates each option in the order it appears on the form and assigns the student to the first choice for which they meet the requirements and where a place is still available. If the first choice is not possible, the system automatically moves to the next preference. Therefore, the sequence of preferences holds more weight than trying to guess admission scores. Contrary to some fears, submitting a large number of options does not reduce a student's chances of admission to their preferred school. The algorithm ensures the student is placed in the highest possible option based on their grades and available slots. While there is no strict minimum or maximum number of options, students should include enough to ensure placement and list them in their genuine order of preference. Past admission averages can serve as a guide but do not guarantee identical outcomes for the 2026 admissions.