With the increasing number of graduates churned out by our secondary schools and the addition of those re-writing the unified tertiary matriculation exam each year, gaining admission into tertiary institution in Nigeria is now a fierce battle every admission seeker must fight. Statistics have proven that each year the percentage of an average Nigerian securing admission is dropping in a geometric progression coupled with the distinctive declining in our tertiary institutions.
Aspirants are at a loss on what to do, school managements are also having problems either internally or with the selection of the best – not forgetting the corruption in our educational system! Each year admission seekers have come out to complain bitterly that their names have not been appearing in the admission list. But many did forget how to go about it.
Are you an aspirant? Do you really want this year’s admission? Are you ready to fight hard and hold tight to a spot on the list? If yes, why not follow me as I list out things you must do to gain that very admission you seek so dear, these are steps you should take to help you guide your admission
Have a plan: Many admission seekers are so clueless when it comes to admission seeking, they don’t even know which institution they are well cut out for, while some are just confused on what to do. ‘I want to study medicine in UI, my dad want me to choose OAU, my Aunt said Covenant University is better’ that was what an aspirant said while we were discussing about her admission plans. As an aspirant, you need to have a clear mind on which school to choose, what makes you choose that school and how feasible is it gaining admission to that school for that particular course.
Prepare for the Exam: Preparing for a unified examination is not just with the word of the mouth, have all what it takes to pass the exam – information about the exam, make enquiries for all past questions of your subjects, enough tutorials and most importantly smart reading. You don’t have the whole day to show how good you are to the examiner, stick with the time principles and do your best with actions not with words.
Then what of cases you couldn’t make your dream score?
Procure change of course/ institution form: Most people believed that its only when you have below 200 in UTME, that’s when you should change course, which is a total lie, once you’ve seen your result, it is left for you to decide two things; Can my JAMB score secure me a place in my dream institution? Can I get my dream course with my JAMB score? You should not just lose hope having scored 240 for Medicine in a Public university, you can get the change of course form and change to a lesser course in the same university, and you can still stick to your jamb score and change to a private university or a state university.
Prepare for the School’s Admission Screening: Admission seekers should stop having the mindset that once Jamb is done and dusted, they are free to sit back at home and wait for admission to be served to them on a platter of gold. It is a fact that schools usually have application more than their carrying capacity, are you now expecting everyone to be admitted? Surely each school would devise a means of selecting the wheat from the chaffs, don’t be surprised if your proposed school sold more forms than what they can admit, it’s one of their means of gathering income not students.
If you are the type that has dropped your books under the bed after writing UTME, then I’ll advise you to go get them, dust them and start reading. You can’t be so sure that JAMB is the only exam you will sit for.
Evaluate Yourself: Now that you are about to start your preparations, it’s time to personally evaluate yourself, how good is your O’level results? How did you pass jamb? What were the problems you encountered while preparing for Jamb? If you prepare for your school screening test the same way you prepared for jamb, how well will you pass the exam? These are some of the questions admission seekers should provide answers to in their mind. Once you’re registered for your school screening test, there is no going back again, now you are close to ending the battle. Make sure that with your O’levels plus your JAMB score and with the best of results you’re expecting from the school test, you should be able to gain admission.
Research Well About Your Preferred Course in Your Preferred School: Don’t make the mistake of fighting for admission into a competitive course with a relatively low score, don’t be surprised if you aren’t considered, know about the course you intended studying, know their merit cut off marks, catchment cut off marks, carrying capacity and how competitive it is. If you are able to get the above information about the course and you believe you can succeed in gaining admission then don’t waste time before registering for the test.
Perform Well in the Admission Screening Test: This is your last chance to prove that you really want to gain admission, don’t let your JAMB score deceive you, gather all your resources in making sure that you not only just pass the admission screening test but you also blasted it by having an excellent result. Prepare adequately with the school’s past question, meet fellow aspirants and have healthy relationship with them, attend tutorials and group discussions, learn about the pattern of the admission test and sit for the examination.
Be abreast with information about the Admission Process: The fact that you’ve sat for jamb and admission screening test successively doesn’t guarantee you admission yet. Always source for information concerning the school admission process, get to meet students of the school who can always supply you with correct and up-to-date information, the internet isn’t just for you to download, play games, watch movies or to be on social media alone! Learn to visit sites that you can get accurate and recent information about your school.
Seek help if Admission list is out without your Name: It isn’t always a silent thing once a particular school starts offering prospective students admission, there are still chances that other lists would be released in due time, you can visit admission office of your school if you believed you have all what it takes academically with your results to be admitted, let me give an instance here, a girl with a good jamb score was not admitted for her preferred course, she only cried for help after the admission stuffs is really over, guess what the school said on her case – you should have visited our admission officer with your credentials, and maybe we would have included your name in another related course admission list.
Be Prayerful: Don’t be surprised I included this as the last thing, yes! Have hope in your creator, pray to God to help you through let him guide and control you and he should also crown all your effort with success. You can’t do it alone when it comes to seeking admission, you need he G’ factor. I hope this little piece is helpful!!

About Me: Horlorlardaey is a prolific student writer, who loves delivering thoughtful and unique write-ups. You can contact me via; horlorlardaeyedun@gmail.com or +2349063957289.

cc: fynestboi, olawalebabs