"Auswahlverfahren is German for selection process. A selection process is held when applicants outnumber places for a degree programme. Sometimes, the selection is carried out by the Central University Admissions Service called "Zentralstelle für die Vergabe von Studienplätzen" or ZVS in short - see under "Z". And sometimes, the universities themselves carry out the "Auswahlverfahren", basing their decision on selection criteria like grade point average of the school-leaving certificate (e.g. Abiturnote), waiting times for a study place, or particular social or other commitment shown by an applicant.