JAMB Admission Process Explained: Understanding “Admission in Progress”

Learn what “Admission in Progress” on JAMB CAPS means, why it happens, and how to ensure your admission is approved quickly. Expert tips and guidance included.

What Does “Admission in Progress” Really Mean?

If you’ve recently checked your JAMB CAPS portal and noticed the message “Admission in Progress,” you might be wondering what’s next. Don’t worry — this is not a rejection. It simply means that your institution has initiated your admission process, and it’s currently under review.

However, many candidates often panic when the status stays that way for weeks. In this guide, you’ll understand what this message truly means, how the JAMB admission process works, and what actions you can take to ensure your admission doesn’t get delayed.

Understanding the JAMB Admission Process

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) doesn’t directly delay admission approvals. Instead, the process involves three major stages:

1. Institution Proposal – Your chosen school identifies qualified candidates and sends a proposal to JAMB through the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).
2. Institution Recommendation – After verifying that the candidate meets all requirements, the institution officially recommends the candidate to JAMB.
3. JAMB Approval – JAMB reviews the recommendation and either approves or rejects it based on compliance with admission policies.

When your CAPS displays “Admission in Progress,” it means your institution has proposed your admission, but JAMB has not yet approved it.

You can log in to JAMB CAPS Portal to monitor your admission status anytime.

Admission Proposal vs. Admission Recommendation

A common misunderstanding among candidates is confusing a proposal for a recommendation.

• Admission Proposal: This is an initial step where your institution marks you as a potential candidate.
• Admission Recommendation: This occurs after the institution’s admission officer confirms you meet all necessary requirements and forwards your details to JAMB for approval.

Key Point:
Your status will remain “Admission in Progress” until the institution formally recommends you for admission.

Why “Admission in Progress” May Last for Weeks

Several factors can cause this delay:

• Institution’s internal verification of results and documents.
• Incomplete admission processing by the school admission officer.
• JAMB’s validation queue, especially during peak admission periods.
• System synchronization delays between JAMB and the school portal.

If your status remains unchanged for more than 2–3 weeks, it’s a sign that your institution may not have finalized your recommendation yet.

What to Do If Your Admission Is Still “In Progress”

If your CAPS status has not changed after a few weeks, here are steps you can take:

1. Contact Your Institution’s Admission Office:
   Politely visit or reach out to the admission department for clarification. They can confirm whether your recommendation has been sent to JAMB.

2. Follow Up Regularly:
   Sometimes, delays are technical or administrative. Consistent follow-ups can help speed up the process.

3. Consider a Change of Institution:
   If it’s clear your preferred institution won’t offer admission, you can perform a change of institution on the JAMB Portal to schools with available spaces.

4. Stay Updated:
   Keep checking reliable education platforms like JAMB Bulletin and your school’s official website for announcements.

Pro Tips to Fast-Track Your Admission

• Ensure your O’level results and UTME subject combinations align with your chosen course.
• Regularly check your email and CAPS profile for updates.
• Be cautious of anyone promising “fast admission.” Only JAMB and your school can process it legitimately.

Final Stage — Accepting or Rejecting the Offer

Once JAMB approves your admission, your status on CAPS will change to “Congratulations, you have been offered admission.”

At this stage, you’ll be required to:

1. Accept or Reject the admission offer.
2. Print your JAMB Admission Letter.
3. Proceed to your school for registration and clearance.

Pro Tip: Always click “Accept” immediately after approval to avoid automatic expiration of your offer.

Take Control of Your Admission Journey

Seeing “Admission in Progress” on your JAMB CAPS portal isn’t a cause for panic — it’s part of the normal admission workflow. However, patience and follow-up are crucial. Stay proactive by contacting your institution, keeping tabs on your CAPS status, and verifying updates from JAMB.

If your status has been stagnant for over three weeks, consider visiting your school’s admission office or exploring alternative institutions through the JAMB Change of Institution portal.

Don’t leave your admission to chance. Visit the official JAMB CAPS portal today to monitor your status and take the next step toward securing your admission.