I was among the top ten smartest students in the science class when I was in high school. Earning the privilege to represent my school in science competitions was a regular feat, resulting in several victories. Upon reaching my final year in school, we were tasked with selecting our prospective courses for college. Despite my affinity for STEM subjects, choosing a career path became an uncertainty. After writing my WAEC (West African Examination Council), which is an exam that shows that you’ve completed high school and can then further your education, I proceeded to undertake the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, a pivotal step toward college qualification. Being a lover of STEM and technology, I decided to study mathematics and statistics in college. I want to use my critical problem-solving ability to solve the world’s problems. As technology advances, I believe that mathematics goes beyond numbers and digits.

Yet, amidst this certainty in my chosen path, selecting the right college posed a challenge. I knew that I needed to choose a college that would be the best for my course. After much deliberation, I outlined a set of criteria for any college to meet before I consider applying.

One of my primary considerations when selecting a college is that I aspire to combine mathematics and statistics rather than solely studying either mathematics or statistics. A college that offers a combined degree in mathematics and statistics will equip me with the necessary skills to excel in various technological fields.
But, upon observation, I noticed that many colleges offer these courses separately. This made it a significant criterion in my decision-making process for selecting a college.

Furthermore, I am seeking a college that has a national and international reputation for academic excellence by consistently ranking among the top colleges.
This involves an environment that is conducive to learning and has advanced technologically. With the rapid rate of technological change, I need to choose a college that prioritizes technology and provides students with the latest tools and knowledge. This will set me up for success in my future career.
A school that strikes a balance between academic achievement and extracurricular activities, allowing students to pursue their passions while still achieving success in the classroom.

Moreover, another of my main criteria when choosing a college is to find an environment that promotes diversity and inclusion. My high school experience did not allow me to meet people from different backgrounds. Hence, I decided to opt for a diverse college. I need a college where I can learn from and be inspired by people of all cultures, ethnicities, religions, etc. I believe that a diverse college experience will prepare me for success in the global economy and provide me with the opportunity to make friends from all over the world. A diverse group of students can develop creative and innovative approaches to addressing global issues.

After listing all the criteria that must be met, I found a school that met my criteria. The school is the University of Port Harcourt, which meets these criteria. It combines mathematics with statistics as one discipline.

It ranked as the first university in my country and the third on the continent as a whole. It has won national university game competitions five times, showcasing a perfect blend of academics and extracurricular activities.
Their commitment to technological advancement stands out prominently. A student from my department won the Huawei International ICT competition in the networking track. It is made up of students from diverse cultures and ethics.

Indeed, the school met my top three personal criteria for selecting a college.