This article will direct you on how to choose institutions during JAMB or DE registration.
Many prospective UTME candidates usually register for the JAMB exam without knowing which school to attend. If you’re reading this, you’re probably preparing for the 2025 JAMB exam, and this post will help you choose the best institution for your studies.
UTME applicants are just secondary school leavers who want to proceed to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, or innovative enterprise institutes (IEI).
This category of admission seekers can select their schools in different formats. The available combinations are listed below.
JAMB Institution Selection Combinations
Combination 1
1st Choice: A Federal University
2nd Choice: A few federal universities (are available in the 2nd choice section)
3rd Choice: A Polytechnic
4th Choice: Only innovative enterprise institutions
Combination 2
1st Choice: A Federal University
2nd Choice: A state or private university
3rd Choice: Polytechnic
4th Choice: Only innovative enterprise institutions
Combination 3
1st Choice: Any Federal University
2nd Choice: A Polytechnic
3rd Choice: A polytechnic
4th Choice: Only innovative enterprise institutions
Combination 4
1st Choice: Any Federal University
2nd Choice: A polytechnic
3rd Choice: A College of Education
4th Choice: Only innovative enterprise institutions
Combination 5
1st Choice: A State University
2nd Choice: A State or private University
3rd Choice: A Polytechnic
4th Choice: Only innovative enterprise institutions
Combination 6
1st Choice: A State or private University
2nd Choice: A State or private University
3rd Choice: A College of Education
4th Choice: only innovative enterprise institutions
Combination 7
1st Choice: A Polytechnic
2nd Choice: A Polytechnic
3rd Choice: A Polytechnic
4th Choice: only innovative enterprise institutions
Combination 8
1st Choice: A College of Education
2nd Choice: A College of Education
3rd Choice: A College of Education
4th Choice: Only innovative enterprise institutions
Combination 9
1st Choice: A Polytechnic
2nd Choice: A Polytechnic
3rd Choice: A College of Education
4th Choice: Only innovative enterprise institutions
Combination 10
1st Choice: A Polytechnic
2nd Choice: A College of Education
3rd Choice: A College of Education
4th Choice: Only innovative enterprise institutions
CLICK HERE; to see List of Schools That Accept 3rd and 4th Choice in JAMB (Uni, Polytechnics & Colleges Included)
The Summary and Notice
- Only the IEI is consistent in the 4th choice section. In other words, only the innovative enterprise institutions are available for applicants as the 4th choice.
- Universities are available as the 1st and 2nd choice but not as the 3rd and 4th choice. Most universities in the 2nd choice section are state and private but with a few federal.
- You can consider a polytechnic, a college of education, and an IEI as the 3rd choice too.
- Candidates can choose polytechnic as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice
- Candidates can choose IEI as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th choice
- Even though you have all the combinations available to you, almost all institutions give admission to applicants who chose them as the first choice. In this case, focus on your first choice more and if need be, you later move any of the other choices to the first choice during the change of institution exercise, if you will have a higher chance of gaining admission there.
How to Choose Institutions for Direct Entry (DE)
DE applicants are holders of ND, NCE, IJMB, JUPEB, Cambridge Advanced, BSC, or HND. But these people want to continue to the University for their courses or related ones.
They are to obtain the JAMB DE form instead of the UTME form.
DE applicants have only two choices in their form – 1st choice and 2nd choice. In other words, only two universities are open to them.
Meanwhile, candidates can choose the two universities in any of the listed pattern:
Combination 1:
1st Choice: A federal university
2nd Choice: A Federal University (a few federal universities are available at the 2nd choice section)
Combination 2:
1st Choice: A federal university
2nd Choice: A State University
Combination 3:
1st Choice: A State University
2nd Choice: A Federal University (a few federal universities are available at the 2nd choice section)
Combination 4:
1st Choice: A State University
2nd Choice: A State University
Combination 5:
1st Choice: A Federal University or a State University
2nd Choice: A Private University
Combination 6:
1st Choice: A Private University
2nd Choice: A Federal University or a State University
Combination 7:
1st Choice: A Private University
2nd Choice: A Private University
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I choose two federal universities for JAMB?
No, you can only select one federal university as your first choice. Some federal universities are available in the 2nd choice section, but not all.
2. Can I choose a private university as my first choice?
Yes, you can select a private university as your first choice. However, ensure you meet their admission requirements.
3. Is it compulsory to fill all four choices during JAMB registration?
No, it is not mandatory to fill all four choices, but it is advisable to do so to increase your admission chances.
4. Can I select the same school for my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices?
No, you can only select a university as 1st or 2nd choice. Polytechnics and colleges of education can be chosen multiple times.
5. Can I change my institution after JAMB registration?
Yes, you can change your institution after registration through the JAMB Change of Institution process.
6. Do universities accept 2nd choice candidates?
Most universities give preference to 1st choice candidates. Some state and private universities may accept 2nd choice candidates. see list here
7. Can I choose a polytechnic as my first choice?
Yes, you can choose a polytechnic as your first choice if you prefer to attend one.
8. Do DE applicants have four choices like UTME applicants?
No, DE applicants can only select two institutions: 1st choice and 2nd choice.
Conclusion
Most universities prefer candidates who select them as their 1st choice, which is why applicants should prioritize their first-choice institution. DE candidates often choose the same institution as both their 1st and 2nd choices to maximize their chances of admission.
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