The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) on Monday, April 7, cautioned applicants against seven common mistakes that could negatively impact their chances of securing a university or college slot.
Top of the list is the frequent error of entering incorrect contact information, particularly phone numbers. KUCCPS warned that this could hinder crucial communication between the applicants and the placement body.
Another widespread mistake is failing to proceed with submitting courses added to the Course Basket. The agency emphasized that placing courses in the basket is not equivalent to an application.
“Adding courses to the Course Basket is not the final step. You must click the ‘Application/Revision’ button and proceed with ‘Apply Now’ to submit your choices,” KUCCPS advised.
Students were also cautioned against applying for only one programme or filling just one option instead of listing the recommended four choices. This, KUCCPS noted, limits placement chances significantly.
Similarly, the body warned against listing the same programme across all options, especially in highly competitive fields such as engineering, medicine, and nursing. This strategy, while showing preference, poses a high risk of not securing placement at all.
The fifth mistake highlighted was selecting courses from only one institution. KUCCPS urged students to diversify their choices across different universities and colleges to boost placement opportunities.
The agency also discouraged random arrangement of course preferences, urging applicants to list them in order of priority — with the most preferred course first and the least preferred last.
Finally, KUCCPS pointed out a payment-related error where applicants used their mobile money transaction ID instead of the eCitizen account ID when submitting applications. The agency clarified that the eCitizen ID, which appears as a string of alphabetical letters in the confirmation message, is what should be entered on the portal.
This advisory follows the official reopening of the KUCCPS portal on March 28, allowing 2024 KCSE candidates to apply for their desired courses and institutions.
For candidates in need of guidance, KUCCPS has established support centres in all 47 counties. Institutions offering help include Alupe University (Busia), Baringo National Polytechnic (Baringo), Maseno University (Kisumu), Technical University of Mombasa (Mombasa), and Karen Institute for the Deaf (Nairobi).
