MEXT Scholarship 2016 (Research)

[vegeta]

Oh no T-T I was already rejected for the interview...I did e-mail the committee head to ask if the acceptance offer changes things...I doubt it will, but we'll see.

you are doing it wrong! you must apply for MEXT scholarship just like anyone else.

you must submit documents and research plan... along those, you put the letter of acceptance. you don't apply for interview beforehand.

after u submit ur docs... they will perform a screening then they call you for tests and interviews.

did you submit any documents to the embassy?

 

[EmLA]

Hey,
Even if the don't accept you because the interview thing… don´t lose your contact, and that offer. With that you can apply directly to university (a lot of Unis have applications on September), if you have a research plan and an advisor you may get selected directly. The only problem may be paying application fees by yourself... If you are accepted by university you can apply the following year to embassy by university recommendation.

Thank goodness guys! That's reassuring. The university is Nihon University, and it's also being reviewed by someone at Nagoya University. I'm praying for the best; I've e-mailed him asking if it would be better for me to apply to the MEXT scholarship through the university recommendation route, citing that many people say students have a better chance of getting the scholarship that way. Wish me luck! Hoping the best for all you guys too.

 

[EmLA]

Could she not apply for that university directly (paying the application fee, etc.) and use the vote of confidence from the contacted professor to help both her application and her chances of bypassing the entrance examinations AFTER WHICH the university recommendation route could open up?

Things to note: Some uni's only allow uni rec. route to students coming form affiliated institutions abroad
EmLA would then then be going straight into a degree programme most likely (all in Japanese, not a research period, etc)

Anyone else have any ideas?

I am wondering this exactly. Thanks for the good summary!

 

[EmLA]

you are doing it wrong! you must apply for MEXT scholarship just like anyone else.

you must submit documents and research plan... along those, you put the letter of acceptance. you don't apply for interview beforehand.

after u submit ur docs... they will perform a screening then they call you for tests and interviews.

did you submit any documents to the embassy?

Yes, I submitted all my documentation, but was rejected for an interview at the embassy. Despite this, I had been in contact with a professor at a university in Japan who offered to advise me during my research. My question is about applying for a MEXT scholarship through the university recommendation track, and what, if any, benefit would his offer of acceptance/possible recommendation for me to the university offer.

 

[vegeta]

Yes, I submitted all my documentation, but was rejected for an interview at the embassy. Despite this, I had been in contact with a professor at a university in Japan who offered to advise me during my research. My question is about applying for a MEXT scholarship through the university recommendation track, and what, if any, benefit would his offer of acceptance/possible recommendation for me to the university offer.

If you get rejected that means you did not pass the first screening. Meaning, you have to wait for the next year and try again.

Unless the university recommendation has another deadline, which I don't think it does.

 

[bononogram]

If you get rejected that means you did not pass the first screening. Meaning, you have to wait for the next year and try again.

Unless the university recommendation has another deadline, which I don't think it does.

University recommendations are done as the school accept their new students (though maybe technically acceptance comes first - after which the uni recommends to Monbukagakusho). This means, if the school accepts students at the start of BOTH semesters, there are two chances per year. If the school only accepts students from the first semester then that is the only time. It seems like MEXT's schedule for Uni Recs is set to match the actual Universities' intake of new students.

Edit: It is important to note that every school is different and what I have described above I learned from a number of university websites - every one was particular but I have tried to sum up what they all seemed to imply or have in common.

 

[tolly]

You're welcome.

My country still have time, deadline for documents is 1 July. This is good because I am still waiting for one professor in one university to respond. The contact with professors is really a pain in the ***.:roflmao: Exams will probably be on 27th July or something, if nothing changes.

What field are you into?
Still, I recommend you to make really clear why japan is the best place to conduct your research, even if you don't need to have a proposal really linked with Japanese language and/or culture. I know past applicants, and it will be a sure question: "Why in Japan?"

Hey!
I'm into experimental psychology, related to taste and smell. It's linked to my undergraduate thesis. I was hoping to research stuff in Japan that I couldn't do in my country.
In my case, I have to write in a sheet "why Japan", plus the proposal (plus other stuff, that may be related to their worry of me accomodating to another country). All of these has to be written in my mother tongue. And then of course, I have to fill the same stuff that you probably filled.
I will have the exams and interview in the same day, since there aren't that many people who go for this scholarship. Actually, someone told me that this year there are around 25 applicants for the 3 scholarships offered in my country.
I read that there is only one place in your country, in my country there are only a few places, I think that may be related to the amount of people who apply. Plus, there are only 3 people in the interview and they are the same for everyone. So now if anything, I'm worried about their ability to understand my proposal, I tried to be clear and not heavy in the proper terminology.

 

[Lawrence1]

So we should start emailing prospective advisors now? I haven't took the GRE yet? Did you guys just submit your CV and your previous work and why you want to go to their lab?

 

[Frida]

I have a... kind of unrelated question.
Are any of the local government of your countries involved on the selection of the people who can start the process with the embassy?

For example, here in Mexico, the Foreign Relations Ministry selects the people who can submit their papers to the embassy and be called for the language tests.

I'm just really interested in knowing if this is applied somewhere else.

 

[ajeng]

I have a... kind of unrelated question.
Are any of the local government of your countries involved on the selection of the people who can start the process with the embassy?

For example, here in Mexico, the Foreign Relations Ministry selects the people who can submit their papers to the embassy and be called for the language tests.

I'm just really interested in knowing if this is applied somewhere else.

In Msia, the Government are invited as one /two of the interviewers. Usually 1 officer from the Public Service Department and 1 lecturer of a local University / 1 officer from Education Ministry. The Government only involve in this stage (interview stage).

 

[wywoo]

Hi guys! just going to butt in here...

I'm applying for MEXT from Singapore, where the deadline is 3rd July and I haven't submitted my application. Still struggling to put my study plan into words that are not too technical. I'm from the field of Molecular Biology, hoping to pursue a Masters (and subsequently a PhD) in Todai's Graduate School of Medicine.

I've gotten an informal acceptance from a professor there who is my first and only choice. He has offered me to start unofficially in October. I'm wondering if it would alright to include this piece of information in my application? I feel not including it may be violating some sort of disclosure agreement...

Good luck to all of you who might be still applying, going through interviews or just waiting!

 

[Mangang]

HI guys, do u guys know when will be the screening test for indian students. And where the result will be posted.

 

[tolly]

I have a... kind of unrelated question.
Are any of the local government of your countries involved on the selection of the people who can start the process with the embassy?

For example, here in Mexico, the Foreign Relations Ministry selects the people who can submit their papers to the embassy and be called for the language tests.

I'm just really interested in knowing if this is applied somewhere else.

Im my case everyone gets to sit for languages exams and interview (that stresses me out because they told me the date and I'm not sure if I got all the papers right because there isn't a screening at this stage). I'm not sure about the interview though, but I don't think that's the case, there are two people from the embassy and one japanese guy (according to people, he is nicest one, the other two try to make your proposal crumble).
Edit: I kinda remember that someone told me that at the interview there is this guy who isn't asian, so everyone thinks he isn't from the embassy.

 

[DATCAT]

Hey!
I'm into experimental psychology, related to taste and smell. It's linked to my undergraduate thesis. I was hoping to research stuff in Japan that I couldn't do in my country.
In my case, I have to write in a sheet "why Japan", plus the proposal (plus other stuff, that may be related to their worry of me accomodating to another country). All of these has to be written in my mother tongue. And then of course, I have to fill the same stuff that you probably filled.
I will have the exams and interview in the same day, since there aren't that many people who go for this scholarship. Actually, someone told me that this year there are around 25 applicants for the 3 scholarships offered in my country.
I read that there is only one place in your country, in my country there are only a few places, I think that may be related to the amount of people who apply. Plus, there are only 3 people in the interview and they are the same for everyone. So now if anything, I'm worried about their ability to understand my proposal, I tried to be clear and not heavy in the proper terminology.

Nice, I hope you get good results.
It's true tough, I am not sure how much terminology will be ok to use in interview. At least I know (in my country) the try to put at least one "expert" in your field… Well, my proposal itself is written very technical because I sent it to my Japanese professors, and they said it's a very well thought project and they agreed to be advisors (unofficially).

Yes, as I can see now, there are a lot of differences between countries… to be honest I thought that the process was more homogeneous across countries.

 

[eiraku]

Yes, as I can see now, there are a lot of differences between countries… to be honest I thought that the process was more homogeneous across countries.

TBH, the process IS pretty much homogenous - once you go into Second Screening.

It's the Primary Screening that differs ever so slightly from country to country - as the Primary Screening is entirely (IINM) conducted by the Japanese Embassy/Consulate folks from where ever you are.

Like in our case in Malaysia, for all intents and purposes we had to fill up our applications twice - once for the Embassy to screen our initial applications itself, and the second time for the actual Primary Screening. That, in itself, was something I've never heard any MEXT applicant talk about - even those *from* Malaysia.

Also, when in previous years the Medical Check was a procedure that applicants had to go through *after* the Primary screening; now they just tell us to go through it as *part* of the Primary Screening procedures.

So yeah, whims and fancies of the Embassies.

 

[Dangosan]

A Question for those who have gone through the primary screening. My primary screening date is inching closer and I am getting super anxious My biggest fear that I have right now is the interview. I know I've been preparing for the big day but from what I've read here, those interviewers seem very eager to dismantle you. If you are kind enough, would you mind sharing your experience? How was the interview? Any tip will be appreciated.

 

[Maukbv]

Hey guys,
I'm new to this forum but I've been reading it for a while.
I was wondering if anybody had any information concerning dates of interviews and finding out if we have got an interview for MEXT in the UK (London embassy)?. I need to go to Japan at the end of July for entrance exams and I hate watching airfare slowly climbing haha.
Also, I've seen that some people were concerned about using technical language in their proposal. My proposal was on an area of pure mathematics and would be very difficult for a non-algebraist to understand. I sent an email to the embassy about it and they told me to write it up as if they were all experts. They also said that it could be beneficial to provide an accompanying document talking about the benefits of my proposed area in a historical setting and perhaps explain the important terminology in terms of how the thing is used without giving a formal definition (as this would be essentially impossible in this case).
Good luck to everyone!

 

[heyjude]

Hey! Just turned my application in and made it right before the deadline . Super nervous!
Does anyone know how many people the USA usually sends ?
Anyone applying to the Osaka Kobe area?!

 

[Frida]

Thanks for all you answer, guys!

All the best for all of you!

 

[bononogram]

Hey! Just turned my application in and made it right before the deadline . Super nervous!
Does anyone know how many people the USA usually sends ?
Anyone applying to the Osaka Kobe area?!

I'm looking primarily at KobeU

 

[bononogram]

Hey guys,
I'm new to this forum but I've been reading it for a while.
I was wondering if anybody had any information concerning dates of interviews and finding out if we have got an interview for MEXT in the UK (London embassy)?. I need to go to Japan at the end of July for entrance exams and I hate watching airfare slowly climbing haha.
Also, I've seen that some people were concerned about using technical language in their proposal. My proposal was on an area of pure mathematics and would be very difficult for a non-algebraist to understand. I sent an email to the embassy about it and they told me to write it up as if they were all experts. They also said that it could be beneficial to provide an accompanying document talking about the benefits of my proposed area in a historical setting and perhaps explain the important terminology in terms of how the thing is used without giving a formal definition (as this would be essentially impossible in this case).
Good luck to everyone!

Why take the ientrance exams now? You are doing university recommendation?

 

[Maukbv]

I'm taking exams so that I can go the uni recommendation route if the embassy route fails and so that I can start as a masters student immediately in April and not have to spend the time as a research student first. The results of the exams are released very early so it's possible to do this it seems.

 

[foxfault]

I just heard from the Houston consulate MEXT coordinator! I got an interview! Woohoo! My heart is still racing from the news, ha! (＝⌒▽⌒＝)

 

[heyjude]

I just heard from the Houston consulate MEXT coordinator! I got an interview! Woohoo! My heart is still racing from the news, ha! (＝⌒▽⌒＝)

Congrats! anyone have any good advice for the interview process?!

 

[foxfault]

Yes, any advice for the interview will be greatly welcomed.

I am an artist proposing to do research in art and animation... Should I bring a portfolio? Will they allow me to use it during the interview? My biggest concern is demonstrating what I want to do without visuals... But I suppose that's a concern for everyone, if you're doing physics all the way to painting.