What to Do If You Don't Get Your First Choice School | BECE Guidance

1. Understand the Placement Process

• Check your placement carefully on the CSSPS portal
• Understand why you might not have gotten your first choice (cut-off points, competition, etc.)
• Verify that there hasn't been a technical error

2. Explore Your Assigned School

• Research the school you've been placed in
• Look at their academic performance records
• Check what programs and facilities they offer
• Talk to current students or alumni about their experiences

3. Consider the Self-Placement Option

• If you qualified for placement but weren't placed in any school
• Use the self-placement module on the CSSPS portal
• Look for schools with available spaces
• Be realistic about your choices based on your aggregate

1. Reconsider Your Program Choices

Sometimes, changing your program preference can open up opportunities in better schools. For example:

• If you wanted General Science but didn't get it, consider Business or General Arts
• Many programs can lead to similar career paths through different routes
• Some schools may have your preferred program available even if your first choice school didn't

2. Explore Technical and Vocational Education

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools offer excellent opportunities:

• Hands-on, practical learning experience
• Faster entry into the job market
• Opportunities for entrepreneurship
• Many TVET programs have high employment rates

3. Consider Private SHS Options

If your family can afford it, private schools offer alternatives:

• Many private schools offer quality education
• Often have smaller class sizes for more individual attention
• May have more flexible admission requirements
• Research accredited private schools in your area

4. Look into Re-sitting the BECE

If you're really determined to get into a specific school:

• You can re-sit the BECE as a private candidate
• Use the extra time to improve your weak subjects
• Get extra tutoring in areas where you need improvement
• Consider this option carefully with your parents and teachers

1. Adopt a Positive Mindset

• Your attitude determines your success more than your school
• Every school has opportunities for dedicated students
• Focus on what you can achieve rather than what you missed

2. Set Clear Academic Goals

• Aim to be among the top students in your new school
• Set specific targets for each term
• Use this as motivation to work even harder

3. Get Involved in School Activities

• Join clubs and societies that interest you
• Participate in sports and cultural activities
• Take on leadership roles when opportunities arise

4. Build Strong Relationships

• Develop good relationships with teachers
• Make friends with serious, focused students
• Create study groups to support each other

1. Remember: SHS is Just a Step

Your SHS is important, but it's not the final destination. Focus on:

• Building a strong foundation for university
• Developing good study habits and discipline
• Getting good grades for tertiary education applications

2. University Admissions Look Beyond School Name

When applying to university:

• Your WASSCE grades matter more than which SHS you attended
• Universities consider students from all types of schools
• Your performance in entrance exams and interviews also counts

3. Success Stories from "Less Popular" Schools

Many successful Ghanaians attended schools that weren't their first choice:

• Doctors who attended community day schools
• Engineers who went to technical schools
• Business leaders who attended less-known private schools
• Your determination matters more than your school's reputation