Applying to IGP at Keio, and looking at MEXT.

[Sphincter]

Hey, this is my first post. Thanks to anyone who does answer my questions.


I am an american who is hoping to study at Keio University next fall. I graduated with a B.S degree in aerospace engineering from a top 3 AE school in the US (graduated in 2010). My undergraduate GPA is ~3.6-3.65. My quantitative GRE is a 720 (retaking it soon to improve it). My verbal section... not quite as good. Currently I am employed as an engineer at a well known global company.

I have contacted some professors in the mechanics and manufacturing program and I have received 1 response saying they would like to welcome me as a graduate student in their lab (awesome!!). However, he doesn't have any personal foundation to provide funding.

I do not have too much research experience, mostly just working with a phd student approximately 2 years ago doing basic lab work. I havent been able to contact the professor or the phd student unfortunately for a letter of recommendation, however, I have a former professor of mine who agreed to write one.

What concerns me is my chance at getting into Keio, and even more so if I have a shot at the MEXT scholarship through the university recommendation. My GPA isnt stellar, I dont feel like I have enough research experience, and I am half Japanese. Considering this is an international graduate program, I feel like being part Japanese will harm me more than anything. I have good comprehension of the language due to family, but my reading/writing is terrible and I have gone to American schools my entire life.

Some positive things that could help are that I am a member of the Japanese Society of my state, and have a professor who said they can accept me as a graduate student. Plus I have some work experience which may help. I have looked at other schools, however, Keio is my first choice because of its research, location, and strength.


Maybe I worrying too much about small things. Is there any advice that you can give to help me improve my application to Keio? Are my stats in the ballpark to have a shot at the MEXT scholarship?

Thanks

 

[Half-n-Half]

I am in the same process as you so take everything I say with a grain of salt.

Your GPA is fine, especially if you graduated from a well-known school. Verbal isn't nearly as important as you think it would be, especially if your native language is English.

As far as I know, grad schools like to see real-world experience. They like to see that you can succeed outside of academia and that you have a proven track record. Grad school isn't necessarily a continuation of undergrad study. Your job should definitely help you out there. Research is also very important but if you can point to concrete achievements made in your job then it should compensate. If the professor has already accepted you and you've made a good impression he may also push to have you accepted. I'm not sure of the politics behind Keio, but at my American university I know one case where a professor played a heavy hand in getting a student accepted to study under him. And from what I have heard, Japanese professors have a lot of power, more so than their American counterparts.

Your chances of getting the MEXT through university recommendation are MUCH higher than applying through your embassy. If you apply through your embassy you are competing with every student in America who wants to study in Japan. With university recommendation it is just with the other applicants. Not to mention embassy application requires a lot of hoops to jump through.

Is your program taught in English or Japanese? If it's an international program as you say it is I'm going to assume it is taught in English. In that case your Japanese ability can only help your case, not hurt it. It is a big plus to show a willingness to learn the culture and language since, in my experience, schools are afraid a student with impossible expectations of Japan will quit the program once they realize Japan isn't what they thought it was.

I am half-Japanese as well and got into an exchange program at Tohoku University. Believe me, the only reason it would affect your chances are if you are a Japanese citizen, in which case you cannot get a MEXT scholarship.

In your application you really need to make clear your long-term goals and how studying at Keio specifically can help you achieve those goals. Let them know that Keio is a great fit for your goals and an institution where you feel you can carry out the research you want to do. No grad school will accept someone who wants to research a field for which they have no faculty, even if they are the next Einstein.

What are your long-term goals? Do you want to get a PhD? A masters? Work and live long-term in Japan after grad school?

In short, you're probably worrying too much. Really nail your SoP and research proposal and you'll be fine.

 

[Sphincter]

My program is in English. Hopefully I will be able to take Japanese language classes while I am there.

Hopefully the professors giving me the "ok" will have some weight in my decision.

Are you allowed to apply for MEXT with more than 1 university through university recommendation? its always good to have a backup.

I am still pretty worried about my GRE. A 720 math is not up to par (Keio said all previous MEXT recipients had a 730+). I am definitely more concerned about initial acceptance than MEXT however. There are other ways to fund graduate school besides that scholarship.

Would a LoR from a previous Japanese teacher have any weight? Or would it be better to get 2 LoRs from professors in my field? I am planning on having 1 from my major and 1 Japanese professor.

 

[Half-n-Half]

My program is in English. Hopefully I will be able to take Japanese language classes while I am there.
Hopefully the professors giving me the "ok" will have some weight in my decision.
Are you allowed to apply for MEXT with more than 1 university through university recommendation? its always good to have a backup.
I am still pretty worried about my GRE. A 720 math is not up to par (Keio said all previous MEXT recipients had a 730+). I am definitely more concerned about initial acceptance than MEXT however. There are other ways to fund graduate school besides that scholarship.
Would a LoR from a previous Japanese teacher have any weight? Or would it be better to get 2 LoRs from professors in my field? I am planning on having 1 from my major and 1 Japanese professor.

For university recommendation you do not apply for MEXT at all. The university is given a certain number of scholarships and they decide which accepted students get them. So like I said, it depends on the quality of your peers whether or not you will get one or not.

As for your GRE, while it is a little low, its a little late to retake it since I believe admissions for Keio are due November 30th? If that's the case there is no use worrying. Focus on other parts of your application.

LoR's from professors you did research with should be your top priority. In grad school your primary goal is to perform research so they want to see you are capable. After that I would say a LoR from a professor who's class you did really well in (A grade) or one from your supervisor at work. It might help to know what you do at work and any major achievements you've made. I've heard mixed things about getting LoR's from work supervisors but if it's relevant they can be good.

 

[Sphincter]

I actually can get the GRE done and have the scores before the end of the application period. So hopefully things will improve with that.

I havent been able to get ahold of the prof I did research with. Either because he hates me or he doesnt remember me. I spent most of my time workign with a phd student and I worked with the student at the early stages of research. most of what I did was set up equipment and set a few tests up. Since the student was working alone... things were very slow. Regardless, sucks I cant get ahold of the prof. Its been 2-3 years since I worked with them anyways.

I am also not going to ask my employer because i could seriously hurt my standing within the company should I not get in to graduate school.

One prof I will try to get ahold of was the one who is in charge of one of the lab courses I worked in. That isnt research, but it could be decent. Kinda pissed because I got a B in the course but had terrible and lazy lab partners who did no work and didnt hand in good data.


Seems like more and more I have less and less chance to get in. Being in a different state from these profs really hurts.

 

[Half-n-Half]

I actually can get the GRE done and have the scores before the end of the application period. So hopefully things will improve with that.

Just know that both scores will show up on your official report, so if you do worse they'll see it. But if you think you can get above a 750 then by all means retake it.

Either because he hates me

Why would you think that?

I am also not going to ask my employer because i could seriously hurt my standing within the company should I not get in to graduate school.

Have you discussed it with your supervisor? I can't imagine why it would hurt your standing within the company, but I've never been in that type of situation.

One prof I will try to get ahold of was the one who is in charge of one of the lab courses I worked in. That isnt research, but it could be decent. Kinda pissed because I got a B in the course but had terrible and lazy lab partners who did no work and didnt hand in good data.

I would advise against that if only because he might confuse you with one of them. Plus, if it's been two years and you did not receive an A chances are he does not remember you well or enough to write a good recommendation letter. Only ask if you're sure he can write you a good letter.

 

[Sphincter]

Well snap.

Took GRE. I'll get scores in november (in time to submit to the school). Was told my score range of 520-620 verbal and 750-800 math. Also got my LoRs from 3 profs. Looks like I'm set... now for statement of purpose D: