KUCCPS Warns Of Common Mistakes Students Make in Course Applications

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has issued a crucial advisory to 2024 KCSE candidates applying for university and college courses.

In a statement released on Monday, April 7, KUCCPS highlighted seven common mistakes made by applicants on the online portal, which could negatively affect their placement.

Top on the list is the submission of incorrect phone numbers during the contact information stage. KUCCPS warned that providing inaccurate contact details could lead to missed updates or placement notifications.

Submitting courses in basket isn’t enough

Another frequent error involves leaving selected courses in the Course Basket without completing the application process.

KUCCPS reminded students that adding courses to the basket is not the final step. To complete the process, one must click the “Application/Revision” button, then tap “Apply Now” to submit the choices.

Limited choices = Limited chances

Many applicants also apply for just one course, leaving the rest of the slots blank. KUCCPS recommends selecting all four available choices to boost placement chances.

Applying for the same course in all slots is also discouraged, especially for highly competitive programs like medicine and engineering, as it reduces the applicant’s flexibility during selection.

Avoid choosing courses randomly

The placement body also emphasized the need to arrange course selections in order of preference. The first choice should represent the applicant’s top priority, followed by the second, third, and fourth in descending order of preference.

KUCCPS also noted that some candidates mistakenly submit their mobile money transaction ID as the application number instead of using the correct eCitizen account code, which is alphabetical and found in the payment confirmation message.

Help is available across the country

To help students navigate the application process, KUCCPS has established support centres in all 47 counties.

Key locations include Alupe University (Busia), Maseno University (Kisumu), Baringo National Polytechnic (Baringo), Technical University of Mombasa, and Karen Institute for the Deaf in Nairobi.

Candidates are encouraged to seek assistance and make informed choices before the deadline to increase their chances of successful placement.