Monbukagakusho Scholarship for Postgraduate!!

[Ajay]

you guys are so clued up!!

hi~ i'm new. but i confess i have tapped into your vast pool of knowledge for my own devices in the past - awesome forum. keep it up.

mozart:
made me want to cry. a lot. i managed to get the nomination and official acceptance @ Tokyo so they better not turn me away now!! I don't have a contingency~~ T_T

i just came on here to see if anyone else is having issues with the cost of getting that Certificate of Health done.. it's costing me more than ￡300 >< i'm a postgrad? i have no money~

and to anyone that was unsuccessful this year: great effort, and don't be disheartened. this was my second attempt

mwah xx

Can you tell what is your field? When did you start contacting profs? It will help the folks who will be trying next year! For certificate of health it all depends upon the country. I my country it was as cheap as $15 or Rs. 750.

 

[dalmatian]

hi ellefruit, congratulation for the official acceptance at Tokyo. ^^
Is it Tokyo University? Do you get Letter of Acceptance (LoA) or Certificate of Acceptance (officially accepted by University, not only by the Professor) ?
Actually one of my potential advisor is from Tokyo University. He asked me to contact the Admission Office regarding the letter of acceptance. But the lady from the Admission Office said that there is no letter of acceptance. They will held meeting to determine whether we are qualified or not. If we are considered qualified, the University will send us the certificate of acceptance instead of LoA.
Anybody have experience regarding this matter?

 

[ellefruit]

heey

Ajay:

Can you tell what is your field? When did you start contacting profs? It will help the folks who will be trying next year! For certificate of health it all depends upon the country. I my country it was as cheap as $15 or Rs. 750.

I'm going into bioengineering (I have an "Engineering for the Life Sciences" MEng) and I started writing to profs around the end of May. BUT I would recommend starting a little earlier - some of the professors I contacted suggested alternatives for funding so if you want to explore those, start early. Also.. sounds harsh but don't be discouraged from 'shopping around'. Look up the profs, read their papers. Spend time on it.. it's 2(+) years of your life!!

It's the blood tests that are killing me financially £100 for the chest xray, £200 for the blood tests.. and probs £85 for the medical >< that's like.. $650 USD? thats a lotta moolah for someone used to public health care T_T

Dalmatian:

hi ellefruit, congratulation for the official acceptance at Tokyo. ^^
Is it Tokyo University? Do you get Letter of Acceptance (LoA) or Certificate of Acceptance (officially accepted by University, not only by the Professor) ?
Actually one of my potential advisor is from Tokyo University. He asked me to contact the Admission Office regarding the letter of acceptance. But the lady from the Admission Office said that there is no letter of acceptance. They will held meeting to determine whether we are qualified or not. If we are considered qualified, the University will send us the certificate of acceptance instead of LoA.
Anybody have experience regarding this matter?

thanks~ ^^ and good luck with yours! i'm sure you'll get in. I am getting a certificate of acceptance (it's in the post) from the school of engineering. They didn't mention anything about a meeting :s and they were pretty quick - I guess it depends on the faculty, and maybe how speedy your prof is with paperwork. Do you know when that meeting is? Let me know what the result is - maybe I'll be seeing you there?!

i'm gonna go off and sulk some more about the price of blood tests..
mwahz xx

 

[ellefruit]

XD i just read this in clipvain's post:

At one point, one of the panel asked me to apply for another scholarship. He said, "I'm not saying you won't get this scholarship but here's another scholarship you can apply for." And he gave me a pencil and paper and told me to write down the scholarship website.

AMGZ me toooo. The mean interviewer started telling me that I'd be better off getting a job - better pay etc. - and then going down the 論文博士 route. something about not having to be enrolled to get a PhD. I almost cried. and wanted to wail "but i want THIS one!!!" very strange. he definitely wasn't selling this scholarship. lawl.

 

[dalmatian]

hi ellefruit,

Thanks, I am actually not sure whether I can be accepted or not. At the graduate school of my choice, the meeting will be held twice. The second meeting will be on September 4th (still have to wait about 1 month) >.<
Regarding the medical test, in my country we need to submit certificate of health twice. We also need to submit the application forms, recommendation letters, and other documents twice. The first is for the primary screening and after we are nominated, we have to submit new documents. What about in your country?

 

[ellefruit]

hmm.

I think its the same..? We had the primary screening - application documents, then interviews - after which we are selected for nomination, then they tell us to go get the Letters of Accpetance, which need to be submitted by September. Certificates of Health have to be in by this month, and I haven't heard of another one . After that I think we have to wait for the all-clear from the Ministry, but the Embassy have told us that it's unusual for us to be rejected at this stage. (Maybe UK sticks to its quota?)

What have you applied for? Are you going straight into a course, or research first? I still think it might just be different faculties with different systems.. Have you got acceptance from your 2nd/3rd choices?

xx

 

[dalmatian]

hi ellefruit,

I applied for research first. I have contacted my 2nd/3rd choices and sent them my documents. I am still waiting for the LoA from them.

In my country, during primary screening, we also have to submit the health certificate.

But I got different problem now. Somehow, the result of my medical check up is not good o__O. Less than 3 months ago, my medical check up was ok. But now, according to the result, there is something wrong with my lung (I never smoke actually). Tomorrow I am going to consult to the lung specialist. T.T I am so depressed..

 

[ellefruit]

oh nooo!!!!

I hope it's a mistake >< I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I'm off to get my xray taken in 30 mins.. I hope my lungs are ok ><

 

[menrui]

Wow ellefruit. You sure did pay a lot for that health certificate. I always thought UK was full of good health insurance and such haha, unlike like America . I had to pay out of my pocket, So I think I payed about 350$ USD. The embassy allowed me to skip the lung xray with consent of the doctor. So that saved me a bunch too.

I hope everything turns out okay for you dalmatian.

 

[dalmatian]

hi ellefruit and menrui, thanks. I've just consulted with lung specialist and I also bring my last x-ray (3 months ago), and according to the doctor, my lung is ok (it is still normal). Even there's no differences with the last check. This morning, I also did spirometry test. However, on the health certificate, the medical center doctor kept writing impression regarding my lung that suspect post pleuritis. But gladly the conclusion is I am adequate to study in Japan. I don't know whether this can affect my chance because of that comment. >.<

 

[Ajay]

hi ellefruit and menrui, thanks. I've just consulted with lung specialist and I also bring my last x-ray (3 months ago), and according to the doctor, my lung is ok (it is still normal). Even there's no differences with the last check. This morning, I also did spirometry test. However, on the health certificate, the medical center doctor kept writing impression regarding my lung that suspect post pleuritis. But gladly the conclusion is I am adequate to study in Japan. I don't know whether this can affect my chance because of that comment. >.<

Good to know that there is not any serious issue with your health!

how much time did it take you to get your LoA/document from Tokyo University?

 

[dalmatian]

Good to know that there is not any serious issue with your health!
how much time did it take you to get your LoA/document from Tokyo University?

hi ajay, thanks.

My potential advisor from Tokyo University doesn't issue LoA. But the graduate school will issue the certificate of acceptance if I am considered qualified. I still have to wait until September 4th to know whether I am accepted or not. >.<

 

[mazygekon]

master in japan

hello, find u just yesterday although wish it was earlier, anyway i am too applying for mext, as a master student..so i m wondering if anybody can tell me how clear we should be about our field of study , I suppose less clear than research s, but i still have doubts.

as for interviews in serbia it is appointed for 24 of avgust, dont u think it a bit late, because some of universities receive document only by the end of avgust,, :?

 

[ellefruit]

hey peeps!

dalmatian - so glad your lungs are ok!! I'm sure your health certificate will be fine.. the doctor obviously thinks you're unlikely to have recurring problems.

fyi, i managed to barter down the price of my bloods.. lawl. managed to get the price halved to £98. much happier about that. still.. i should get a job T_T

mazy: your field of research should be fairly specific. it's your research proposal (or "plan" ..i forget the wording) that can be a little more vague. That's my opinion anyway. I think it's important to be clear about your field, otherwise they might not take you so seriously. Don't you have an idea about which field you're interested in?

I think it'll be ok to drift slightly from what you say on your form AFTER selection, because you'll be in control of which lab/professor you contact, but you have to convince your interiewers that you have passion for a specific subject.

xx

 

[Ajay]

Hi folks,

I got message from a prof from University of Tokyo that he is ready to be my sensei. Though there are more steps in getting a LoA... Anyone having any experience in getting a Letter of Acceptance from University of Tokyo? The academic unit is Graduate School of Information Science and Technology. I am planning to ask them to FAX it before mailing it to me as it will help me to submit by attachment form on time. I need to get a FAX no. in Japan for this... as I dont think they will FAX it to me in India.

 

[NeoXtremeX]

Quick question for those who were accepted to TouDai.

Arent you supposed to be 1-kyuu before even considering attending that school? or did your supervisors not care about your japanese ability so much?

Another question for those who have been accepted to Keio.

Keio asks for applicants to select keio as their one and only option for study in Japan? Did you comply to this request? or did you write more universities and still get an acceptance from Keio?

Thanks in advance!

 

[dalmatian]

hi Ajay,

When I contacted the admission office of Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, she said that there is no LoA provided. But they will issue certificate of acceptance instead (if we are qualified after they held two meetings). Will your professor write the LoA ? or you are also have to wait for the certificate of acceptance?

Thanks..

 

[arap]

hmm.

I think its the same..? We had the primary screening - application documents, then interviews - after which we are selected for nomination, then they tell us to go get the Letters of Accpetance, which need to be submitted by September. Certificates of Health have to be in by this month, and I haven't heard of another one . After that I think we have to wait for the all-clear from the Ministry, but the Embassy have told us that it's unusual for us to be rejected at this stage. (Maybe UK sticks to its quota?)

xx

Hi ellefruit,

It's really reassuring to know that your embassy said that it's unusual to be rejected if you already got embassy recommendation. We don't have that luxury here In Indonesia, even when we (actually it's nyfa friend) want to ask about the number of people who passed the embassy selection, they can't tell us, but put that aside I believe they did a really hectic job on selecting and guiding the applicants (Last year it's said that more than 1000 people apply for this scholarship in Indonesia) for this mext scholarship so I don't have any complain at all.
Well we just have to wait anxiously for the final result here in Indonesia. I just hope all of us can be accepted, just pray for the best.
I really wish athz can show up in this thread again, there are few questions that I want to ask her again.

 

[nyfa]

We don't have that luxury here In Indonesia, even when we (actually it's nyfa friend) want to ask about the number of people who passed the embassy selection, they can't tell us,

Which was a bit weird cause for the last two years, they can just tell that to whoever ask them.

Uhm, btw, anyone here getting Tohoku Uni?

 

[arap]

Hi nyfa,

Just want to share some info :
Today I went to the embassy to hand over all the required documents back while I was there I met with one of my friends and he gave me the information that both of us want to know...it seems that 49 people passed the embassy selection in Indonesia. Last year 47 people were granted the scholarship, well....by this time the only thing I can do is pray and pray and pray for the best to come.

ps: The documents filling process was taking more time than I expected

 

[nyfa]

Hi arap,

Thank you

Wow, actually that is quite a number. April 2008 departure had 43 people, and last year was 47.. So, it increases bit by bit actually

Let's pray till December . It would be nice if we can do a small gathering later

 

[neocarbunkle]

Hi everyone. Obviously this is a huge thread and my questions were probably answered in bits and pieces throughout all of it but if its ok I have some questions that I am just completely lost on.

So all that I really want is to get a masters degree from a Japanese college. I have a big interest in the far east area in general especially Japan, however I am lost on what exactly it is that I "research". Like would an ok research project be international relations, or Japanese history since 1600 or Japanese society in general? Once I have a topic, how do I go about "researching" it?

How do I become a graduate student? I see that you need to take an entrance exam but where is that done? At the embassy? At the college? Do you apply as a research student then take the entrance exam there? What kind of test would the entrance exam be? Is it a general knowledge test like the SAT or is it specifically designed for your major?

Do people from English speaking countries need to take the English test? If I have my certificate for JLPT level 2 do I still need to take the Japanese test?

Thanks in advance

 

[arap]

Well I spent some times in this Saturday evening by reading some of the earlier posts in this thread in order to obtain more information (Sad... really because I don't have any plan nor money to spend my long weekend)

It's amaze me that last year this thread was always active even when it was on the long waiting process. Hmm..I wonder will this year thread be as active as last year one ?

The posts from December to February especially, really made me...I don't know to describe it..scared and excited ? I tried to imagine myself in your shoes at that time...indeed it was really scary waiting for the final announcement while it seems so happy when you knew that you got the scholarship. Anyhow I will go down the same road as you guys experienced it last year, It's nice to do some image training earlier ^ ^

So after reading, I got the gist of it, in the middle/late December you got the tentative acceptance letter from embassy and in February comes the official one.

Anyway It's kinda OOT from the scholarship question but I stumbled upon the posts from the guy named lancetology. I had my laugh when menrui replied that "it will a steamboat for 1" for his post, did you remember this menrui ?

So I wonder did he apply for MEXT scholarship this year in Malaysia ? if he got accepted means that there will be a chance for you guys meeting him next year.

 

[Rica]

Anyway It's kinda OOT from the scholarship question but I stumbled upon the posts from the guy named lancetology. I had my laugh when menrui replied that "it will a steamboat for 1" for his post, did you remember this menrui ?
So I wonder did he apply for MEXT scholarship this year in Malaysia ? if he got accepted means that there will be a chance for you guys meeting him next year.

I also got a real giggle out of reading those posts - especially the bit when he suggested that female students might end up marrying their supervisor LOL

 

[Ajay]

I also got a real giggle out of reading those posts - especially the bit when he suggested that female students might end up marrying their supervisor LOL

Oh well, I also read his posts quite some time back. On few things he is right..

1. When you are doing research, especially Phd, you should treat it more like your job less like study and hence your supervisor more like your boss. This is pretty well know fact, you can find this in a number of "Should I do Phd or not" kind of pages on internet.

2. You should be open to criticism about your work. Again this is some thing fairly well understood. It is more apparent in art schools though..

3. The worth of a researcher is measured more by his work a bit less by his degree or univ only. Basically if you have great publications you are better...

For the rest of his posts ... either there is some issue local to Malaysian folks due to which he said that or well, he got some initial success and that got right to his head giving him the condescending behavior. He never gave details of his publications or what ever was making him say the stuff he was saying. As far as skipping the entrance exams and stuff... well you can do so if you go through the university recommendation route, which he didn't take as he was appearing for embassy recommendation, wonder why? I think if one impresses a prof then univ recommendation route is the best as this way you don't have to spend initial time as a research student..