Getting admitted into your preferred university is only the beginning. Your admission is not fully secured simply because your name appears on the admission list. There are several important steps you must complete before you officially become a registered student.

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Many newly admitted students lose opportunities, pay unnecessary penalties, or even forfeit their admission because they assume the process ends after seeing “Congratulations” on the admission portal. Every university has deadlines, required documents, payments, and verification stages that must be completed in the correct order.

The sections below explain exactly what to do from the day you receive your admission until you are fully registered as a student.

Step 1: Confirm That Your Admission Is Genuine

Before making any payment or celebrating, confirm that your admission is authentic.

Check your admission through:

Your university admission portal
JAMB CAPS
[VERIFY: Some institutions also publish official admission lists on their websites.]

If your school has offered you admission but JAMB CAPS still shows “Admission in Progress” or “Not Admitted,” avoid rushing to pay fees immediately. Wait until your admission is reflected on CAPS unless your institution officially instructs otherwise.

Always compare:

Your name
JAMB Registration Number
Course offered
Faculty
Admission session

If anything is incorrect, contact the admission office immediately before proceeding.

Step 2: Accept Your Admission on JAMB CAPS

This is one of the most important steps.

Being offered admission does not automatically mean you have accepted it.

Accept Admission
Reject Admission

Select Accept Admission only if you truly intend to attend the institution.

After accepting:

Your admission status updates.
You become eligible to print your JAMB Admission Letter later.
Your institution can complete the admission process.

Why this matters

Some students delay accepting admission for weeks because they think there is no urgency. Meanwhile, some schools expect candidates to complete acceptance within a specified period.

Delaying unnecessarily can create problems later during clearance.

Step 3: Print All Important Admission Documents

Once your admission has been accepted, begin collecting every document you will need throughout your first year.

Print multiple copies of each document.

These usually include:

JAMB Result Slip
JAMB Admission Letter
University Admission Letter
Acceptance Fee Receipt
School Fees Receipt
Admission Status Page
Birth Certificate
Local Government Identification
O’Level Result
Passport Photographs

Keep both hard copies and scanned digital copies.

Create separate folders on:

Your phone
Email account
Cloud storage

Losing important admission documents can delay clearance or force you to pay for replacements.

Step 4: Pay Your Acceptance Fee

Most universities require newly admitted students to pay an acceptance fee before they can proceed with registration.

This payment confirms that you have accepted the admission offered by the institution.

Before paying:

Read your school’s payment instructions carefully.
Verify the official payment portal.
Confirm the correct account or payment gateway.

Avoid paying through unofficial agents unless the institution specifically authorizes them.

After payment:

Download the receipt.
Print multiple copies.
Save the PDF version.

Never assume your payment has been recorded until it reflects on your student portal.

Step 5: Create Your Student Portal Account

Most universities require newly admitted students to activate a student portal account.

During activation, you may be asked to provide:

JAMB Registration Number
Admission Number
Email address
Phone number
Password

Choose a strong password that you can easily remember.

Your student portal will later be used for:

School fee payments
Course registration
Hostel application
Semester results
Examination registration
Academic records

Do not share your portal password with friends or cybercafés.

If someone helps you complete your registration, change your password immediately afterward.

Step 6: Complete Physical or Online Clearance

Clearance is the process through which the university verifies that every document you submitted during admission is genuine.

Depending on your institution, clearance may be:

Completely online
Completely physical
A combination of both

Documents commonly requested include:

Original O’Level result
JAMB Admission Letter
Birth Certificate
Local Government Certificate
Passport photographs
Acceptance fee receipt
School fee receipt
Medical certificate [VERIFY: if required by your institution]

Officials will compare your originals with photocopies before approving your registration.

Do not laminate documents that may require official stamps during clearance.

Step 7: Pay Your School Fees Correctly

Acceptance fee and school fees are different payments.

Many first-year students confuse the two.

Acceptance fee confirms you are taking the admission.

School fees register you officially as a student for the academic session.

Before paying:

Confirm the exact amount for your department.
Verify whether payments are made once or in installments. [VERIFY: Depends on the institution.]
Read all payment instructions carefully.

Always pay through the institution’s approved payment portal.

After payment:

Print every receipt.
Save electronic copies.
Confirm that your payment reflects on your student portal before leaving the payment page.

Step 8: Complete Your Medical Screening

Most universities require newly admitted students to undergo a medical examination before they are fully registered. The aim is not to deny admission but to create a medical record that the school health centre can use if you become ill during your studies.

The process varies between institutions, but it usually involves:

Opening a medical file at the university health centre.
Presenting your admission documents and passport photographs.
Undergoing basic tests such as eyesight, blood pressure, weight, height, and sometimes laboratory tests. [VERIFY: Required tests differ by institution.]
Receiving a medical clearance certificate or approval.

If you have an existing medical condition that requires regular treatment, inform the medical personnel honestly. Having accurate medical records can help you receive proper care during emergencies.

Do not skip medical screening because some schools will not allow you to complete registration or participate in matriculation until it is done.

Step 9: Apply for Hostel Accommodation Early

If you intend to stay on campus, apply for hostel accommodation as soon as the application portal opens.

Hostel spaces are usually limited. Even schools that use a balloting system often close applications quickly once the available spaces have been allocated.

Before applying, confirm:

Whether your school uses first-come, first-served or balloting.
The hostel fees.
The payment deadline.
Whether fresh students are given priority. [VERIFY: Policies vary by institution.]

After securing a room:

Print your hostel allocation slip.
Pay any required accommodation fees.
Find out your room number and block.
Contact your roommates if the school provides their details.

If you are unable to secure a hostel, begin searching for approved off-campus accommodation instead of waiting until resumption day.

Step 10: Attend Faculty and Departmental Registration

University registration does not end with central clearance.

Most faculties and departments also require newly admitted students to register with them.

This process usually involves submitting photocopies of important documents such as:

Admission letter
O’Level result
JAMB result slip
School fee receipt
Acceptance fee receipt
Clearance documents

Some departments also issue departmental files that will be used throughout your programme.

Keep every file and receipt safely. You may need them during examinations, SIWES, final clearance or graduation.

Step 11: Meet Your Course Adviser Before Registering Courses

One of the biggest mistakes fresh students make is registering courses without consulting their course adviser.

Your course adviser helps ensure that:

You register all compulsory courses.
You do not exceed the maximum credit units allowed.
You do not miss prerequisite courses.
You avoid registering courses meant for another programme.

Before you click the “Submit” button on your course registration portal, ask your adviser questions such as:

Are these all the compulsory courses for my level?
Have I included the correct General Studies (GST) courses?
Is my total credit load within the approved limit?
Are there departmental courses that are not yet visible on the portal?

Five minutes with your course adviser can prevent problems that may delay your graduation years later.

Step 12: Register Your Courses Carefully

After receiving approval, complete your course registration before the deadline.

Course registration is more than selecting subjects. It officially tells the university which lectures, tests and examinations you are eligible to take.

While registering:

Cross-check every course code.
Confirm the course title.
Verify the credit units.
Ensure both first and second semester courses are correctly listed if your institution requires early registration.

After submission:

Download your course form.
Print several copies.
Obtain every required signature if your school still uses manual approvals.

Never assume your registration was successful simply because you clicked “Submit.” Always confirm that the portal shows your registration as approved.

Step 13: Attend Orientation Programmes

Orientation is often underestimated, yet it answers many questions that new students later struggle with.

During orientation, you usually learn about:

University rules and regulations.
Examination misconduct.
Dress code and campus conduct.
Student support services.
Health services.
Library usage.
Student portal navigation.
Security and emergency contacts.

Take notes during orientation. Information shared there may save you from disciplinary issues later.

Step 14: Prepare for Matriculation

Matriculation is the ceremony that officially recognizes you as a student of the university.

Before matriculation, most institutions require students to have completed:

Acceptance fee payment.
School fee payment.
Medical screening.
Clearance.
Course registration.

Some schools also require students to purchase or hire matriculation gowns before the ceremony.

[VERIFY: Matriculation procedures differ among institutions.]

Missing matriculation without official permission may create administrative complications in some universities.

Common Mistakes That Can Delay or Affect Your Admission

Even students with genuine admission offers sometimes create unnecessary problems by overlooking simple requirements.

Paying into the Wrong Account

Always use your institution’s official payment portal or approved payment channels. Paying into a personal account because someone claims to be an “admission helper” can result in financial loss.

Ignoring Deadlines

Acceptance fees, clearance, hostel applications and course registration all have deadlines. Missing one deadline can affect several other stages of your registration.

Create a calendar or reminder on your phone for every important date.

Using Different Names on Documents

Your name should be consistent across:

JAMB records
O’Level result
Birth certificate
NIN
Admission letter

If you notice discrepancies, begin the correction process immediately instead of waiting until your final year or NYSC registration.

Losing Original Documents

Keep original documents in a waterproof file. Use photocopies whenever possible and maintain scanned copies in cloud storage or your email account.

Skipping Official Announcements

Many students rely only on WhatsApp groups for updates. While class groups can be helpful, always verify announcements through your institution’s official website, student portal or recognized communication channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I resume school without accepting my admission on JAMB CAPS?

In many cases, no. Accepting your admission on JAMB CAPS forms part of the official admission process. If your admission has not been accepted, you may encounter problems during clearance or while printing your admission letter.

2. Is paying the acceptance fee the same as paying school fees?

No. Acceptance fees confirm that you have accepted the admission offer, while school fees register you as a student for the academic session.

3. Can someone else complete my clearance for me?

Most institutions require you to appear physically for document verification or biometric capture. Even where some stages are online, you may still need to be present for identity verification.

4. What happens if I miss the acceptance fee deadline?

Some universities extend deadlines, while others may withdraw the admission offer. Contact the admissions office immediately if you cannot meet the deadline and check for any official extension. [VERIFY: Extension policies vary.]

5. Do I need both original and photocopies of my documents?

Yes. Originals are usually inspected during verification, while photocopies are submitted to different offices. Carry multiple photocopies to avoid repeated trips to business centres.

6. When should I apply for hostel accommodation?

Apply immediately after the hostel application portal opens. Waiting until resumption increases the risk of missing available spaces.

7. Can I change my course immediately after admission?

Some institutions allow newly admitted students to apply for a change of programme after meeting specific conditions, while others require students to complete at least one academic session first. Always follow your institution’s official guidelines.

8. What should I do if my school portal is not showing my payment?

Keep your payment receipt and transaction reference. Wait for the period specified by the institution, then contact the bursary or ICT support unit if the payment still has not reflected.

9. Should I attend orientation if it is not compulsory?

Yes. Orientation provides practical information about academic regulations, student services and campus life that can help you avoid common mistakes throughout your programme.

10. What documents should I keep throughout my degree?

Keep your admission letter, JAMB admission letter, O’Level results, birth certificate, acceptance fee receipt, school fee receipts, course registration forms, medical clearance documents and every important academic record. These documents are often required again during SIWES, final clearance, transcript applications and NYSC registration.

Receiving admission is an important milestone, but it is only the first stage of your university journey. Completing each registration step correctly and before the deadline protects your admission and helps you settle into campus life without unnecessary stress. Make it a habit to keep accurate records, verify every instruction through official university channels and complete each requirement as soon as it becomes available. Doing so gives you a smooth transition from an admitted candidate to a fully registered undergraduate.

What to Do After Getting Admission to the University of Your Choice: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm That Your Admission Is Genuine