What You Can Do with a Low JAMB Score

Abdullateef Eluyemi Elufowora

Abdullateef is a social commentator and education enthusiast. He tweets @EluOmoElu

I have received loads of Admission guidance appeal and questions, most of which I have attended to in my little way and from my pool, I observed some things which need to be cleared once and for all.

First, I saw questions like I scored 172 and applied for Accounting. Another, I got 173, I applied for Nursing; another, I applied for Economics, what’s my chance at Unilorin, ABU, OAU and the likes?

Well, I think I should get this cleared. There are certain courses in Nigeria that you can never be admitted for, by first rate universities and even JJC Schools, with certain scores. I don’t ever think any public school in Nigeria will admit anyone with even 170 for Nursing. Bayero or Unimaid or Sokoto are not small schools, they only still give considerations because of fewer competition compared to Southern Unis and of course they are from educationally disadvantaged states.

Anyone with 170/180 JAMB score should be concerned with getting admission at least irrespective of any university. The era has gone past bragging of graduating from OAU or Unilag with nothing serious. A graduate of Uniosun with a first class or 2.1 will be first considered for fair job placement and interview than OAU 2:2. So, forget prestige now, just go anywhere and study.

If you want to still study your desired course and from a prestigious university, sit your ass down and start preparing for 2020 Jamb.

Also, for those interested in northern schools. I don’t think this should take you weeks to make up your mind. Applying for change of course is not what you spend days to think about. The more you wait, the lesser your chances, because anyone who applies for change of institution very late may not even get the opportunity to register for post-UTME in the new chosen school because JAMB may never update such name once the school is about starting post-UTME.

Most schools advertise their post-UTME form between one or three weeks after JAMB is done with release of results and cut-off score.

If you must change your institution, act now. Look for northern state universities like Ibrahim Babangida University Lapai, Kaduna State University, Kano State University, Umaru Musa Yaradua University Kataina etc. They are many. And look for courses in Agric, Education and even Arts. You stand good chance.

If you can dare the devil, try the northern federal unis too especially the newly created ones in Lokoja, Jigawa, Zamfara etc, with at least 180 in JAMB.

Your good post score may do a big magic. Most schools now do average of both JAMB and post-UTME scores, as final admission cut off. So if you score 180 in JAMB and 240 in post UTME, you stand a better chance than someone who scores 200 in both jamb and post-UTME. This is why schools are still calling out to candidates with at least 180. It means come and prove yourself.

Again, If you change from Unilorin Law with JAMB score of 180 to IBB Uni to study Law, you are only deceiving yourself. Law is Law almost anywhere and MBBS is same anywhere, with little considerations. So you must be truly good to study these courses. Your k-leg JAMB score cannot smuggle you anywhere. Choose less competitive courses instead.

And more importantly, let me reiterate, ensure you have a very good post-UTME score to prove that your JAMB score was just unfortunate and not your true measure. You can’t score 180 in JAMB and score 180 in post-UTME and expect miracle. If you must go to the university, you must prove it.

Visit sites like Schoolgists, Nairaland Education threads, Facebook school admission groups et al.

In our days, we sleep online to google schools and read JAMB brochures, like real admission manual that it is. That thing isn’t for decoration. Carry it, flip through universities, check online and ask questions. Admission is not given on a platter of gold to candidates with low score, you fight and struggle for a place.

Why are we writing this? Just to save you from waiting for another whole year. It can be frustrating.