A Finnish study counselor has created an online tool that helps students understand their university admission prospects. The calculator compares grades against institution score limits and lists potential study options.
Olli Majaluoma developed the website after noticing students struggled with confusion around certificate-based admission. When he started as a counselor in 2019, he saw students constantly worrying about university entrance scores.
"I wondered if we could develop some system so we could focus more on students' strengths and interests rather than just matriculation exam grades," Majaluoma explained.
The website works simply. Users enter their high school subjects and grades. The tool then lists all university programs where those scores would have gained admission in previous application rounds.
Majaluoma maintains the site alongside his full-time job as a study counselor at Tikkurila High School. He collaborated with other counselors to expand the tool's capabilities over time.
In 2023, the site added features showing how first-time applicant status affects admission chances. This addressed student concerns about how much priority they would receive.
Finland's university admission system will undergo reforms in spring 2026. The number of scoring tables will drop from about 50 to just 11. The changes aim to encourage students to study what genuinely interests them in high school.
"This time it feels like universities are doing really good cooperation," Majaluoma noted. "The communication is quality and timely, and the planned changes are very welcome."
Users have provided encouraging feedback about the calculator. Some discovered new interesting fields they wouldn't have otherwise considered.
The site intentionally requires users to browse multiple options rather than just one specific program they might have in mind.
"The goal is that people explore their alternatives broadly," Majaluoma said. "I've heard some users have looked through all their options. That's absolutely brilliant."
While the tool focuses on certificate-based admission, Majaluoma cautions against reducing career choices to just this method. Certificate selection accounts for about half of new university students.
"It's always good to remember that if matriculation exams don't go well, you can still get in through entrance exams," he added.
The calculator represents a practical solution to a real problem in Finnish education - excessive focus on grades rather than genuine interests and career fit.