Why I Won't Be Attending University of Warsaw

 The good news: I got in. Yay! I was accepted into the Archaeology program for my master's (or second-cycle) in University of Warsaw.

The bad new: They expected me to have all my documents (including my visa) in their hands 3 days after acceptance. I can't even get a visa that quickly—I needed a letter of acceptance into the program and proof of where I'll be staying. I asked a few different people about how to get housing and never got a definitive response; just: ask this department.

The interview: I was stressing, hard, over the interview for no reason. Despite the reading material of a textbook, a theoretical book, and a book on methods (which I didn't read, it may actually be another theoretical book), the questions asked were the most basic. Part of this may have been a communication barrier, but the program itself is in English and that's what the interview was in. Another part of it may be that I over-explained things in attempt to show that I did the reading, consequently running the interview's time.

They asked me of different types of archaeology and the difference between history and archaeology (in USA, archaeology is associated with anthropology, while in Europe, it is associated with history). That's all the archaeology questions I can remember that weren't personal.

I suspect that the major issues I was running into was the main guy I was speaking to; the recruitment for archaeology committee (but it was always just 1 guy). I don't think he understands English well, though he was easy to understand. Before the interview, I mentioned I wanted to pull my admission out and try at a later date. One of the reasons I listed was because I didn't get to take part in an excavation/dig. He responded saying that wasn't necessary, just to read the books and prepare for the interview. At the start of the interview, I mentioned I wasn't able to do any digs, so I was lacking in that aspect (I think one of the women asked about it) but I had a few I was supposed to do this year when the pandemic hit. Then, he asked if I'd done any digs... Because of that and the way he's answered my other questions, I have to wonder if he's fully competent in his job as a recruitment for English-speakers. That's not to say that I question his intelligence, but I was fighting a losing battle with this one. I hoped to speak to someone else, but he was the only person, aside for housing questions, that I could reach.

The organization of the site itself needs improvement and can cause so much confusion. For this reason, I'm going to include the message he sent me stating exactly what is required. At one point, I'd asked about how to make a payment to ELS (a student ID) and he listed the banking information, which I won't include. I'm not sure why there wasn't a website where I could pay it, but I never even found out the amount due for it, so it didn't matter, either way. Also, he mentioned a website to go to, which I'd visited before I ever contacted him and explained this to him because the website still left me with questions, hence having to ask him to clarify some things. Also, he mentioned applying in September, but I'd still be stuck with the EXACT same issue, so there's no point in doing that.

Required documents for the program, which is expected within 3 days after admission into the MA program of archaeology in University of Warsaw:


Below there is a list of required documents (information available here http://rekrutacja.uw.edu.pl/en/required-documents/) 
  • in case of application to second-cycle (MA) studies – the higher education diploma (MA, BA, engineer diploma or equivalent) and transcript of grades obtained during the course of study, entitling to continue university-level study in country in which the diploma was issued,
  • a personal questionnaire, which includes candidate’s photo, printed out from candidate’s individual registration account in the IRK system and signed by the candidate (available at the candidate’s individual registration account in section “Enrollment applications” under the chosen field of study accessible through the link “Documents and further steps”)
  • an application for issuing electronic student’s id (ELS), which includes candidate’s photo, printed out from candidate’s individual registration account in the IRK system and signed by the candidate – in case of candidates not holding ELS (available at the candidate’s individual registration account in section “Enrollment applications” under the chosen field of study accessible through the link “Documents and further steps”)
  • a proof of student’s id (ELS) payment – in case of candidates not holding ELS
  • If you make traditional payment in foreign currency use bank account numbers available below:
Recipient:
University of Warsaw
(THE REST of the payment info, I'VE DELETED)
  • statement on becoming acquainted with the amount of fees for educational services at the University of Warsaw (available at the candidate’s individual registration account in section “Enrollment applications” under the chosen field of study accessible through the link “Documents and further steps”)
  • a legalisation (authorisation) or apostille (if the document was issued by an institution operating in the educational system in a country that is a party to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, concluded in The Hague, 5 October 1961) of the original of secondary school (maturity) certificate and transcript of grades or the higher education diploma and transcript of grades – depends on the level of studies
  • a document stating that the certificate / diploma entitles to undertake or continue university-level study in country in which the certificate / diploma was issued (such proof should be issued or certified by the school or educational institution which issued the certificate / diploma or by educational authorities of the country which issued the certificate / diploma or in which system of education the school operates) [a sample form attached]
  • a health certificate stating that there are no objections to undertake studies on the chosen programme – in case of organizational unit of the University of Warsaw which requires such a certificate 
  • a photocopy of visa or other document proving legalisation of stay in Poland – in case of foreigners staying in Poland