I wanted to ask if you have to apply to a university in Japan prior to applying for the scholarship, or after, or do they just pick one for you?
Hello Wool,
If you will be applying through University Recommendation, you email your prospect adviser/sensei at Japan first. Usually you would be able to find their email address online via University website.
Write a letter (via email) and make sure to highlight your achievements and credentials, such as degree sought, publications such as thesis, and reason why you'd like to work under your sensei's supervision. Wait for your sensei's reply. (This applies for all degree level: BS, MS, Ph.D)
For graduate course based on my experience (since undergraduate application has different process, ask +Collagen for this info):
There is an online application to which you'd upload scanned documents such as TOR, diploma, passport, recommendations. Wait for their assessment on your documents, for sometimes they would ask for more supporting docs.
*First screening would be done on the basis of these documents and the interview via Skype. If you passed on the first screening (meaning the University accepted you), the next screening would determine if they would consider to recommend you on scholarship such as mext.
*2nd screening (for you to be a MEXT candidate in particular): EMAIL-BASED exam-
3 professors from different fields would email you 3 questions each.
(A total of 9 questions). You might receive all their 1st questions at the same time. So you'd better use your time wisely. As soon as you email back your answer, then will you get the 2nd question. But bear in mind that for every question, you would only be given 24 hours to answer it. The faster you submit your answer the more credible you would be. Make your answer concise and comprehensible. Make it straightforward. They usually ask for answers within the range of 200-400 words.
After the 2nd screening. If blessed enough to pass again, then the University would email you an acceptance letter, that they would accept you as their student by October (insert year) and they selected you as final candidate for MEXT.
3rd step: Japanese government will dselect among the final candidates to whom they'd grant scholarships.
