Monbukagakusho Scholarship for Postgraduate!!

oic.. so all together have to send health cert 3 copy and letter of acceptance 3 copy only??? right?? then have to send to which address?? attention who? im a n00b in this plz hlp
 
oic.. so all together have to send health cert 3 copy and letter of acceptance 3 copy only??? right?? then have to send to which address?? attention who? im a n00b in this plz hlp

calm down bro.
just send those above to the Japan Information Service. The exact same address on the envelop (top left hand corner) the Embassy sent us.
Attn: Ms Yin.
 
My coordinator told me that I must "pass" either the english test or japanese test. By the way, when do you plan to apply? next year right?

menrui, thank you very much for your pointers because they are very helpful! I don't exactly have a coordinator because I'm doing it all alone. Can you kindly explain how we can find our coordinator? And yes, I'm applying for next year.

Thanks again!
 
I don't know if this is the person to whom menrui is referring or not, but there should be a person in charge of MEXT scholarships at your local consulate. Go to the MEXT website and find out which consulate you will be applying to, then email the person there and start building a relationship. That person should be able to answer any questions you may have.
 
I thought we are supposed to hand in 1 original of health certificate and 2 copies of it?

No other instructions stating that our letter of acceptance should do the same. Only if we are assuming that the letter of acceptance is the so-call 'standing documents'... But anyway, I will try send in 2 copies of that later... I am still waiting mine to arrive... Just got the certification of my copies of documents from the embassy last Saturday... I just sent them through this afternoon... I am terribly worried...

Anyway, has anyone got the idea on what are the 'standing documents' said in the letter? We are not informed whether there are any missing there... how should we know? I was thinking of calling Miss Yin AGAIN...
 
abltmusician,
charlies is correct. I was talking about my MEXT coordinator at my local consulate. New York has one too:
Research Student | JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
Charlie also gave some good advice. It seems like the number of applicants at US consulates are rather few compared to say... malaysia. So i would suggest you take advantage of that and "build a relationship." If you're applying next year, I would really suggest you wait until current applications end. Its pretty hectic now as you can see, I dont think you should bother them with next years application just yet. Also, be sure to pay attention to the DEADLINES.
 
Charles Barkley and menrui
Thanks so much for your suggestions! I'm going to contact and "build" relationship like you suggested :)

Best Regards!
 
The one who must be stressed is Miss. Yin at the Malaysian Consulate. Judging by this thread, people posting on JREF alone could make her job hectic...
 
The one who must be stressed is Miss. Yin at the Malaysian Consulate. Judging by this thread, people posting on JREF alone could make her job hectic...


Well, frankly the instructions aren't exactly crystal clear, are they? We're just doing our best to make sure we're doing the correct thing. At least she knows we're taking it seriously.

And may I know what is this standing documents as well?
 
Addressing someone's earlier comment, obvious reasons aside, I think part of the reason for the LoA is to measure your abillity to communicate with professors and administrators. The academic world is full of red tape and procedures. With any application into graduate school or further education, you will need these kinds of skills.

Personally, I was not of the opinion that things were so difficult to get in order- between the original guidelines given and the information provided to me by the embassy it was possible to figure out what to do. I sent everything by express mail and was able to have everything come in time. The university/professor will usually do so as well if you ask them and inform them about your deadlines. For some things, such as sending one letter or two at a time, and by express or not, my advice would just be to send them as fast as you get them if you are worried about the dates. Yes, it will cost you more, but you just have to suck it up if you want to get the scholarship.
 
Personally, I was not of the opinion that things were so difficult to get in order- between the original guidelines given and the information provided to me by the embassy it was possible to figure out what to do.

Well, I agree with you, Rizaric, to a certain extent. Some things need clarification..for example, what if we can't get the LoA in by the deadline? Can the deadline be extended?...That sort of thing. And when it comes to LoA, different universities require different documents or require certification by the embassy. Some universities don't really want to issue the LoA according to the embassy's prescribed format (University of Tokyo told me it was not their policy) so again, clarification is needed with the embassy on what to do.

But overall, yes, I do agree with you that the instructions they give are clear enough. Its just that sometimes, despite following instructions and information given, things dun go so smoothly. Thats when things aren't so crystal clear. So we try our best. Plus, in my opinion, the reason why I worry so much is because I'm kiasu. I dunno how to explain kiasu except to say that its just the fear of losing out. Very common in malaysia. grin.
 
Oh! No!... the deadline is just around the corner... This Friday...

All my documents sent through Fedex have not come back to me yet...

One of the professor who used to reply my mails promptly still hasn't done so... I think he is on Bon Holiday... I heard some of the Japanese are going for Bon Holiday for about 2 weeks...

I am doubtful whether those LoA's can reach me by the said deadline...

By the way, Miss Yin still hasn't replied my e-mail (about the standing documents). I guess I have to call her. I think she will be sick hearing my voice too... 😊

Another Question:

About the delay of the deadline: Are we supposed to send e-mail to Miss Yin telling her about our condition, and forward the mails to her? Or we are supposed to send in a hardcopy one?

Judging from the no-reply condition... I am doubtful on what should I be doing...
 
Last edited:
Oh! No!... the deadline is just around the corner... This Friday...
All my documents sent through Fedex have not come back to me yet...
One of the professor who used to reply my mails promptly still hasn't done so... I think he is on Bon Holiday... I heard some of the Japanese are going for Bon Holiday for about 2 weeks...
I am doubtful whether those LoA's can reach me by the said deadline...
By the way, Miss Yin still hasn't replied my e-mail (about the standing documents). I guess I have to call her. I think she will be sick hearing my voice too... 😊

Another Question:
About the delay of the deadline: Are we supposed to send e-mail to Miss Yin telling her about our condition, and forward the mails to her? Or we are supposed to send in a hardcopy one?
Judging from the no-reply condition... I am doubtful on what should I be doing...

I think to be safe, you should write a formal letter stating your reasons for requesting an extended deadline and send in BOTH hardcopy (signed) and email. Together you should attach all correspondences with your supervisor as proof that your LoA is indeed in process.
Quickly get the above done and send by poslaju to the japan embassy asap while waiting for your LoA.
 
I got my LOA today!!!!! I can't believe it. I seriously thought that there's no way I'll get it before the dateline and I have already prepared my formal letter to be submitted in. Gosh, I'm really blessed. I know this doesn't mean that I will get the scholarship for sure but I'm surely happy enough.. for now. Haha.. But I will only receive the original in a week's time. Still.. I'm really very happy right now!!!!!
 
I got my LOA today!!!!! I can't believe it. I seriously thought that there's no way I'll get it before the dateline and I have already prepared my formal letter to be submitted in. Gosh, I'm really blessed. I know this doesn't mean that I will get the scholarship for sure but I'm surely happy enough.. for now. Haha.. But I will only receive the original in a week's time. Still.. I'm really very happy right now!!!!!

Congrats kimberleylhj!
so is that all you applied or still have more to come?
 
👍 I am very happy to hear that! Such a relief...

This might sound weird, but does any know how to reject a professor politely... ? I'm trying to get 3 LoA(seems like too much) and my 3rd option prof/univ wants me to insure them that I am not applying to other univ/prof. I understand why they want that, but I still think its a bit of a turn off. I never mention that I was applying to other univ. I bought some time but the professor keeps clinging on to me... My only idea is to blame it on MEXT haha.
 
ooilingfan, i applied to 3 universities (based on what i wrote in the application form). however, only two positive replies. so, now that i got 1.. i'm still waiting for another 1. but having 1 in hand surely feels way better than not having any. although it's 1, i'm still happy enough. haha..

menrui, thanks! i believe blaming it on MEXT is a good idea. beyond your control? haha..
 
A correction to my previous post. At the ATL consulate this round....

There were 19 research applicants and they chose 2. (Sadly, not me!)

They chose no one out of the 4 undergrad applicants, which totally bites.
 
Menrui: Don't dissemble with the professors. Just tell him something like:

I know that you have said you would like me only to apply to your school, but in order to ensure myself the best chance possible of receiving the scholarship, it is necessary that I apply to multiple schools. I would not be writing to you if I did not have a sincere interest in studying at your school, and if you are willing to accept me as a research student I would strongly consider choosing to study there. I hope that you can understand my position and will allow me to apply to other schools along with your own. If, however, that is not possible, I would like to thank you for all of your assistance to this point but regretfully must withdraw my application. blah blah


Keep it professional. Remember: you could have this guy as a supervisor. If he is not willing to grant you even this little freedom, that could be an indication of more problems in the future...
 
I agree completely with Chuck's advice. When I sent out my e-mails to begin with, I made sure that I said to the prof's that they were one of a few schools I was applying to. Then I made my decision for which school to list as my 'first choice' and then second and third. Months later, when I heard that I'd been selected as a recipient of the scholarship, I made sure to notify the other 2 profs about the end result. Both of them were very nice about it and obviously understood the situation. It's good not to burn any bridges since the prof's you contact are in your field- and there's a high likelihood you may come across them in your future academic career if you choose to pursue things in Japan.
 
im usually in agreement with "the round mound of rebound" too. i should send him a fruits basket one day...

Anyways, I'll further detail how i got into this situation:
The prof agreed to allow me in his research group.
So i sent the office my MEXT application via email.
The office, along with the prof, said that their university was not in my list of prefered university.
I told them that the list was only my personal preference and whom I decide to receive a LoA from is my decision.
They said that they would only issue me an LoA if, and only if, I listed only their univ.
Tired and fustrated, I replied that I would see what i could do, then i went to sleep.
Woke up, found 3 emails from the prof saying that, if i really want to enter his group, i would select him and only him. He would insure that i would have a place in the university.

now i just feel like crap. but i know what i have to do. thanks for the advice guys.

Matsuyamahime,
*sigh, im really sad to hear that. seems like your consulate was really tough. but I wish you the best on whatever it is you plan to do.
 
I made sure to notify the other 2 profs about the end result. Both of them were very nice about it and obviously understood the situation. It's good not to burn any bridges since the prof's you contact are in your field- and there's a high likelihood you may come across them in your future academic career if you choose to pursue things in Japan.

This is also very good advice. Immediately after writing my own post above, I remembered that I ought to contact the professor who agreed to supervise me at the school I was not selected to attend. It only took a few minutes to keep the bridge from burning down. And who knows--if its possible, I would like to take a class he is teaching while still studying at the other school...
 
One thing to note:

I do not believe it is necessary to send the page of your application that has your school preferences listed to the universities. On the original applications that we submitted to the consulate, we had to submit 3(?) copies of the other documents, but only one copy of the page that listed our preferences. I interpreted that to mean that that page was for the consualte's use only (and when I received the set of documents that we are supposed to send to schools back from the consulate, I do not believe that page was included), so I did not forward it to either of the schools I applied for, even though they were my first and second choices.

Neither school commented about its absence, so in the future I would recommend not sending that form off to schools you are applying to, particularly if the schools are not listed among your top 3 choices.
 
^yeah, I wanted to think that way too. But, I was told to include that part(prefered list) on all 3 copies of my application. Also, the set of documents that i received back from the consulate included that part... So i didnt want to leave it out. But now im really considering pulling out the staple and removing it.
 
Back
Top Bottom