How do I check my JAMB first choice?
If you are a candidate who applied for admission into a tertiary institution in Nigeria through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), you might be wondering how to check your JAMB first choice. This is important because your first choice institution is the one that you have chosen as your preferred option for admission. In this blog post, I will explain what first choice means, why it matters, how to check it, and how to change it if you want to.
What is first choice in JAMB?
First choice in JAMB refers to the institution that you have chosen as your preferred choice for admission. This means that if you meet the admission requirements of your first choice institution, you will be admitted into the institution. There are four choices of institutions in JAMB: the first choice is usually a federal university, a state or private university, or a polytechnic; the second choice will be a state or private university, a polytechnic, or a college of education; the third choice should be a polytechnic or a college of education; and the fourth choice should be an innovative enterprise institution1.
Why does first choice matter?
First choice matters because it determines your chances of getting admission into your desired institution. Some institutions are more competitive than others, and they have higher cut-off marks and stricter admission criteria. Therefore, if you choose a highly competitive institution as your first choice, you have to score very high in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the Post-UTME screening to stand a chance of being admitted. On the other hand, if you choose a less competitive institution as your first choice, you have a higher probability of getting admission, even if your UTME and Post-UTME scores are not very high.
Another reason why first choice matters is that some institutions do not accept candidates who did not choose them as their first choice. This means that even if you score very high in the UTME and Post-UTME, you will not be considered for admission if you did not choose the institution as your first choice. Therefore, you have to be careful and strategic when choosing your first choice institution, and make sure that it is the one that you really want to attend and that you have a realistic chance of getting admitted into.
How to check your JAMB first choice?
To check your JAMB first choice, you need to have your JAMB registration number and password. Then, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the JAMB e-facility portal at jamb.gov.ng/efacility.
- Login with your email address and password.
- Click on “Check Admission Status” under “Services”.
- Select your examination year and enter your registration number.
- Click on “Access my CAPS”.
- Click on “Admission Status” on the left menu.
- You will see your first choice institution and course, as well as your admission status.
How to change your JAMB first choice?
If you are not satisfied with your JAMB first choice, or you want to change it for any reason, you can do so through the JAMB change of course and institution service. This service allows you to make changes to your choice of institution, course, or both, after the UTME registration. However, you have to pay a fee of N2,500 for each change, and you can only do it twice2. To change your JAMB first choice, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the JAMB e-facility portal at jamb.gov.ng/efacility.
- Login with your email address and password.
- Click on “Registration (2021 only)” under “Services”.
- Click on “2021 UTME Data Correction”.
- Select “Choice of Institution/Course Correction”.
- Proceed to payment and complete the transaction.
- After payment, you will be redirected to the data correction page, where you can make the changes to your first choice institution and course.
- Review and submit your changes.
- Print out the slip that shows your new choices.
Final verdict
Choosing your JAMB first choice is a crucial decision that affects your admission prospects. Therefore, you have to be careful and strategic when making your choice, and consider factors such as your UTME and Post-UTME scores, the cut-off marks and admission criteria of the institutions, and your personal preferences and goals. You can check your JAMB first choice and change it if you want to, but you have to do it before the admission exercise closes. I hope this blog post has helped you to understand how to check your JAMB first choice and how to change it if you need to.
Summary
In summary, this blog post has explained:
- What first choice means in JAMB
- Why first choice matters for admission
- How to check your JAMB first choice
- How to change your JAMB first choice
Frequently asked questions and answers
Q: How many times can I change my JAMB first choice? A: You can change your JAMB first choice twice, but you have to pay N2,500 for each change.
Q: When is the deadline for changing my JAMB first choice? A: The deadline for changing your JAMB first choice varies depending on the institution and the admission exercise. You have to check the admission portal of your chosen institution or the JAMB website for the specific deadline.
Q: Can I change my JAMB first choice after admission? A: No, you cannot change your JAMB first choice after admission. Once you are admitted into an institution, you have to accept the admission and print out your admission letter. You cannot change your institution or course after that.
Q: What are the benefits of choosing a less competitive institution as my first choice? A: The benefits of choosing a less competitive institution as your first choice are that you have a higher chance of getting admission, even if your UTME and Post-UTME scores are not very high. You also have less stress and pressure during the admission process, and you can focus on your studies and preparations. However, you have to make sure that the institution offers the course that you want to study and that it meets your academic and career goals.