Applying for university in Ghana is highly competitive. And though many students are admitted, a few may still not be admitted due to a few reasons. Admission into Ghana Top Universities is not a tag of war; that is to say, it isn't difficult. Many do apply but then fail to apply smartly and, in the end of the day, get rejected. The point of heartbreak.
I have been assisting students who have graduated from the Senior High Schools in Ghana to apply for the Universities of their choice. But for those who go ahead to do their own application, I only receive calls or messages later to help them fix the errors they have made. Fixing such errors is not possible, especially when the time for the application has passed, and you can't make changes to the programmes you have selected or the errors you have made.
I am creating this firsthand blog not to put fear in anyone, but to serve as a guide as to what you should consider and look at before applying to a University in Ghana. The right way to apply, how best to apply.
Disclaimer
Before you continue reading this blog, I want you to understand that it is not going to be a tutorial blog, but rather one that tells you what you must do right.
Get This Straight Before You Apply
Applying to a university in Ghana is not about choosing a programme because it sounds cool or because “everyone is doing it.”
One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is selecting programmes they know little or nothing about. They don’t research the content of the course, where it will lead them in their career after they are done, or even the required subjects. They just want to apply, and that’s how many people either:
- Get rejected or
- Get admitted but later drop out because they can’t cope or don’t like the programme.
Being in the university is not a journey you are going to take in a month and then come out; it is a long-term commitment. And since it is for the long term, you must be settled both academically and mentally.
The Right Way to Apply for University in Ghana
1. Research the University Thoroughly
I believe fervently that if a survey is held across all universities in Ghana today and students are asked about the history of the school they are attending, only a hundred out of a million will be able to say something tangible. Many students do not research the school they want to attend before applying for admission. All because the university is nice and it has a big name, they want to be in that environment to do nothing else but feel bossy.
Before choosing any institution, you must take time to learn about it.
What must you do?
- Look into the school's accreditation status (which is very important)
- Look into the school's entry requirements
- The structure of its programme
- And also, the facilities and the learning environment.
In Ghana, you must always confirm that the university is accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). Confirming that a school has been verified can be done through official government or university websites, such as:
- University of Ghana (ug.edu.gh)
- KNUST (knust.edu.gh)
- University of Capecoast (ucc.edu.gh)
2. What Programme Are You Going to Do? Understand the Programme Requirements (Don’t Guess)
The examples below help explain the above further
- The requirements for the engineering programme can include strong passes in Core Mathematics, Elective Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
- Health and Science-related courses may require strong passes in Biology.
- And also, requirements for Business and Art Programmes also have their own combinations.
Imagine you read science in SHS without reading Biology and expect to be enrolled in BSc. Biological Science because you applied for it. It does not work that way.
4. Pay Attention to Details During the Application
Many students lose admission because of petty mistakes they could have avoided in the first place. Students may make errors such as:
- Entering the wrong index number during the application
- Incorrect subject grades
- Entering wrong telephone numbers
- Entering their names incorrectly
- And uploading the wrong documents
Before you submit any document, provide your name and details during the application
- You must read everything twice and carefully
- Cross-check your results and make sure you confirm your personal details match your WAEC records.
5. Apply Early and Do Not Wait for a Few Days to the Deadline Before You Apply
Applying to universities late can be very risky. If you apply early, you are going to benefit from
- Fewer or no technical issues
- Better consideration when selection becomes competitive
- And, you will have enough time to resolve any payment issues or problems with your portal.
6. When You Are Unsure of Something, Ask For Guidance
Applying for university and getting admitted is a new chapter of your life, and doing it right is what matters most. There is nothing wrong with you asking for help when you don't understand something during the application. For that matter
You can
- Speak to teachers or school counsellors, especially if you are confused about which programmes you should select.
- Contact the university admission offices if you are having a challenge or do not understand something during the application process.
- If you know anyone who is good at applying for universities or has the experience, you can approach them to help you, and that wouldn't change your complexion.
Common Mistakes That Can Get Applicants Rejected
There is a lot of pain that comes with it when you are rejected for an application. To limit the risk of getting rejected, observe these common mistakes that students often make.
- Choosing or selecting programmes which subject they don't meet
- Applying because of trends and not because of their interest or because of their ability.
- Submitting and uploading wrong, incorrect, or incomplete documents and information
- Waiting for the last minute before applying.
These mistakes can make you stay home for another academic year, so it is best to avoid them in the first place.
Getting into school is never a problem or a challenge if you do the right thing and do it the right way. If you don't meet a cutoff point, choose a programme that your cutoff can get you admitted to. If you apply correctly, you will also get admitted correctly.
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