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Now that JAMB has released 2024 UTME results, and whether you score (very) high or (very) low, it may not matter much; what matters is getting admission to your preferred choice of institution and desired course of study.
People celebrate admission, not JAMB scores. Your JAMB score does not matter after you have been admitted.
Here are 2 things you can do to get admission this year
Whether you score very high, say 300+ or your score is moderate, like 250-280+, or even very low like 150, you may need to start planning how to get admission now.
1. Find an alternative course of study
Why does this matter? If your score is low, you may need to consider changing your course to a less competitive course. But ensure that it is a course that is closely related to your initial course. You may want to change your course later. It is also important to check if the school accredits the course.
Besides, some state universities accept UTME results below 200 for a seemingly better course. Over the years, I have seen students gain admission with 183, 194, 187, etc to good state universities. It might not be their preferred course, but it is something very close to what they love.
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Examples of such universities are Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Delta State University (DELSU), Ambrose Ali University, UNIOSUN, and others.
Even though you score very high, like 300+ and you choose a highly competitive course (medicine and surgery, pharmacy, law, accounting, engineering courses etc) and a very competitive school, your chances of getting admission may still be slim. You may need to buckle down well or change your institution to a less competitive one, for the same course of study.
2. Check the university’s admission policy
The university you pick also determines whether you’ll get admission or not, even though your score is very high. For the university, check out the quota system, catchment areas, admissions policy, result combinations for admission, and just everything that can put you on the safer side or give you a competitive advantage.
If you are not satisfied or convinced that your admission is somewhat certain after what you see, it is advisable to change.
Schools like the University of Ibadan do not have catchment areas and its admission is highly merit-driven. OAU, UNILAG, UNIBEN, LASU, and UNN, ABU Zaria have catchment areas. Catchment areas mean they give some preference to students who come from a particular geopolitical zone where the school is.
For students who have chosen state universities, it is also important you check the school fees to see whether your parents can bear the financial burden.
Well, if your parents can afford it, you should go for it. And then, if you can afford a state university, any of the private universities in Nigeria may be a better alternative, too. You just have to check the school fees to see if it is relatively affordable.
