MEXT Scholarship (Graduate Students) 2017

[hsark]

My consulate won't send me copies that I submitted, they say it's unreturnable.

If you`ve passed the screening they have to send you a copy with an embassy stamp, but they usually keep the original copy I believe that`s what they are referring to

ps: The big deadline is getting your documents submitted(mine is August 31st) to your University of choice and at least one LOA returned by mid or let September....no LOA no scholarship.

 

[hsark]

As an engineering student, I have seen electrical engineering students work in a mechanical engineering lab because the research was related. I have also seen students who majored in electrical engineering for their original degree study mechanical engineering for their graduate study because their research was related. However, things are quite relaxed in the United States when it comes to this sort of thing.
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I have to agree my March co-supervisor wasn`t even in the same University or Country he was back at Havard but on the point of Labs.... Eng. Labs are really important in some cases more so than the supervisor as you spend 50% of your time there while 25% is spent on your independent research from what I`ve seen during visits to some major Japanese universities...IMO Labtories are really important in esp. for anyone in the Sciences, Engineer or Tech.......if your in masters or Undergrad you`ll find you will be getting help from Senpai`s/ other Profs and work Professionals

 

[madphysicist]

Sent an email to Kyoto graduate office and they were like "sorry we don't deal with MEXT students, you have to deal with MEXT directly." Like... what?

Luckily my potential supervisor was just like "huh... let me go to talk to them tomorrow".

You are already a great supervisor, Kyoto prof!

 

[hsark]

Sent an email to Kyoto graduate office and they were like "sorry we don't deal with MEXT students, you have to deal with MEXT directly." Like... what?

Luckily my potential supervisor was just like "huh... let me go to talk to them tomorrow".

You are already a great supervisor, Kyoto prof!

Your lucky you have a Prof in the loop the Admin of one of mine Uni`s seems to be confusing Embassy Recommended with University Recommend

 

[Frida]

I just received my first LOA. It came from my third option, but I am just so happy *_____*

 

[rss]

If you`ve passed the screening they have to send you a copy with an embassy stamp, but they usually keep the original copy I believe that`s what they are referring to

ps: The big deadline is getting your documents submitted(mine is August 31st) to your University of choice and at least one LOA returned by mid or let September....no LOA no scholarship.

Yeah, I know that, but they didn't even send me Primary screening election certificate until I asked for it neither Letter of Acceptance form which I had to request too ;c Well, I asked for scanned copies of documents, at least. Hope to make it to deadline. Good luck to us all!

 

[minader]

I am wondering how is it possible to apply to Hosei University, I read past threads on this forum where and three students said they were accepted, but how if the university asks for physical copies? Our embassy told us that we cannot send hard copies since in that way we would end applying only in that university without even knowing the outcome, which is not recommendable I think

 

[Kamiyan]

I have a question, if someone gets the three LoAs, the University they will go is chosen by MEXT right?, I really want to go to keio

 

[kobayakawa]

I am happy to hear a lot of success stories. Congratulations to all of you guys!

We're still waiting for the results here in the Philippines. I have a feeling the embassy is gonna announce the results earliest next week or latest next next week. (Last year, the embassy released the results on 5th August).

Hoping for the good news but I'm also preparing for the university recommendation track in case I won't make it to the cut.

 

[minader]

I am wondering how is it possible to apply to Hosei University, I read past threads on this forum where and three students said they were accepted, but how if the university asks for physical copies? Our embassy told us that we cannot send hard copies since in that way we would end applying only in that university without even knowing the outcome, which is not recommendable I think

I can answer this by myself haha, I just have to scan the documents before sending the hard copies (if I decide to)!

I am sorry to ask so many questions but I have another doubt.
Browsing Osaka University page, I found this:

Research students recommended by the embassy, but whose Japanese ability is insufficient, take a 6-month Japanese training course at the International Student Center. After that, the student joins the graduate school as a research student, takes the entrance examination of the school, and then enrolls it.

So at Osaka U., only a 6-month period as a research student is allowed? I do not know how the admission examination for graduate schools works at Japanese universities and how difficult they are, but If after six months I take the application to enter the graduate school and I fail, what whill happen? Woud the scholarship be cancelled ahead of time?
I am in contact with a professor from Osaka and he also told me that there you have to take the entrance exam after six months of research (大阪大学では原則として最低半年の研究生期間を経て、大学院の試験を受けてもらいます).

 

[madphysicist]

So at Osaka U., only a 6-month period as a research student is allowed? I do not know how the admission examination for graduate schools works at Japanese universities and how difficult they are, but If after six months I take the application to enter the graduate school and I fail, what whill happen? Woud the scholarship be cancelled ahead of time?
I am in contact with a professor from Osaka and he also told me that there you have to take the entrance exam after six months of research (大阪大学では原則として最低半年の研究生期間を経て、大学院の試験を受けてもらいます).

I believe the professor is saying you need to be a research student for at least 6 months (最低半年) before taking the exam. Not that you have to take it after 6 months.

Generally the language course can only be 6 months, but you can be a research student for up to 2 years. Therefore if the entrance exam is twice a year you can have 3 attempts.

Depending on which course you apply for the "entrance exam" may just be a presentation about your planned research, not a real exam. You may wish to ask your prof about the form of the exam.

 

[minader]

I believe the professor is saying you need to be a research student for at least 6 months (最低半年) before taking the exam. Not that you have to take it after 6 months.

Generally the language course can only be 6 months, but you can be a research student for up to 2 years. Therefore if the entrance exam is twice a year you can have 3 attempts.

Depending on which course you apply for the "entrance exam" may just be a presentation about your planned research, not a real exam. You may wish to ask your prof about the form of the exam.

Thank you! I noticed that 最低 and I thought the same but then I got confused after checking the Mext page of Osaka University. After writing that post I checked the Japanese page and it becomes like this: "通常はまず研究生として入学し、半年から1年の研究活動を行い、入学試験に合格すれば、修士課程・博士課程へ進学することになります。"
Here it seems that the period of research is supposed to be from 6 months to 1 year.
I will definitely ask the professor for further information.

Actually, in the first application form provided by the embassy, where we were asked about "the term we wish to study in Japan" (only research, master or doctoral course) I chose only research course even though I was not sure yet, I hope it won't be a problem if at Osaka U. you are suppsed to research no more than one year. The fact is that some says that it is more difficult to get the scholarship if you ask for more and I was told by the embassy about that it would have been still possible to change after arriving in Japan, I hope they don't reject me on the spot for this :\

 

[indojindesu]

We were told to select Research thing too because no University will accept us directly as a Master's or PhD student. You need to pass the entrance exam for that. (The Embassy people told us this)

 

[minader]

We were told to select Research thing too because no University will accept us directly as a Master's or PhD student. You need to pass the entrance exam for that. (The Embassy people told us this)

That would be a nice news but are you sure we are talking about the same thing? There are two similar questions on the Application form, number 11 "The first course you plan to take in Japan" and 13 "Term until you wish to study in Japan", in both of them research, master and doctoral course were the possible options. Perhaps you mean number 11 question?

 

[bononogram]

Everything I've read has said that going in with BOTH of those original, MEXT administered questions answered with only 'research' causes no issue should you wish to continue on into an MA or PhD programme.

You're good, don't worry.

 

[minader]

Everything I've read has said that going in with BOTH of those original, MEXT administered questions answered with only 'research' causes no issue should you wish to continue on into an MA or PhD programme.

You're good, don't worry.

That is a relief, thanks

 

[Lawrence1]

I can answer this by myself haha, I just have to scan the documents before sending the hard copies (if I decide to)!

I am sorry to ask so many questions but I have another doubt.
Browsing Osaka University page, I found this:

So at Osaka U., only a 6-month period as a research student is allowed? I do not know how the admission examination for graduate schools works at Japanese universities and how difficult they are, but If after six months I take the application to enter the graduate school and I fail, what whill happen? Woud the scholarship be cancelled ahead of time?
I am in contact with a professor from Osaka and he also told me that there you have to take the entrance exam after six months of research (大阪大学では原則として最低半年の研究生期間を経て、大学院の試験を受けてもらいます).

As some may have eluded to, you must take and pass the entrance exam within the first year of your scholarship. If you do not pass the exam then you may need to apply for another school (which may be difficult for you to do unless your advisor works closely with someone from another school, and you would need to contact the embassy about this), or go back to your home country. I don't think it is allowed to extend your stay and try the entrance exam again.
Don't freak out about taking the exam, you will meet a lot of people in your department and they can give you advice on how to study! Everyone that does MEXT scholarship through the embassy must do this so it should be doable. (although this is one of the big reasons why I decided to do university recommended).

 

[hsark]

I have a question, if someone gets the three LoAs, the University they will go is chosen by MEXT right?, I really want to go to keio

I also want to join Keio, as far as I know MEXT decides according to their budget and who they feel is better suited there is no way to influence at this stage except what you wrote in your research proposal good luck hope we both enter Keio

 

[hxcpanda]

I also want to join Keio, as far as I know MEXT decides according to their budget and who they feel is better suited there is no way to influence at this stage except what you wrote in your research proposal good luck hope we both enter Keio

What if you theoretically didn't submit all three of the LOAs though? Would you run the risk of not getting the scholarship just because you only had one LOA?

 

[hsark]

What if you theoretically didn't submit all three of the LOAs though? Would you run the risk of not getting the scholarship just because you only had one LOA?

yes its highly likely unless you had a problem with communication ...your embassy would also try and help you get the LOA

 

[indojindesu]

I have read in old threads that people who really wanted to go to Keio, applied and got LoA at Keio only. ( As in, they submitted only ONE LoA, LoA from Keio)
Sounds like a big risk though.

 

[madphysicist]

To clear up some confusion...

Well first unless you have a very helpful professor at Kyoto you should probably try this email address before the graduate offices:
[email protected]-u.ac.jp

I think we will sort it out with the graduate office but I'm not sure we're technically going about it the right way...

As some may have eluded to, you must take and pass the entrance exam within the first year of your scholarship. If you do not pass the exam then you may need to apply for another school (which may be difficult for you to do unless your advisor works closely with someone from another school, and you would need to contact the embassy about this), or go back to your home country. I don't think it is allowed to extend your stay and try the entrance exam again.

That is not correct. Unless the specific university has their own rules, you can be a research student for up to 2 years, and you can try the entrance exam more than once.

Once your 2 years is up you cannot transfer to another university. You can do this before the 2 years is up but I think that should be a last resort, if you really cannot get along with your professor or group.

I have read in old threads that people who really wanted to go to Keio, applied and got LoA at Keio only. ( As in, they submitted only ONE LoA, LoA from Keio)
Sounds like a big risk though.

Indeed I have heard that Keio will only give you a LoA if they are your first and only choice. I can't confirm whether this is definitely true though.

 

[Lawrence1]

To
That is not correct. Unless the specific university has their own rules, you can be a research student for up to 2 years, and you can try the entrance exam more than once.

Once your 2 years is up you cannot transfer to another university. You can do this before the 2 years is up but I think that should be a last resort, if you really cannot get along with your professor or group.

You are right. Sorry for the mistake. It has been about a year since I read the rules for the embassy recommended. I don't know why but I could have sworn you only had a year to get into your desired graduate program. Nonetheless thank you so much for your correcting me!

 

[indojindesu]

Got my documents today scanned and sent them to one of my preferred Universities. due to a server problem I had to send the mail and the documents 6 times (my professor was the cc ) I hope he doesn't get angry :banghead: Will apply to another University next week.
Do we have to send the original certificate of selection to the Universities? At least to one of them? Wish to confirm before I do anything stupid.

 

[madphysicist]

Got my documents today scanned and sent them to one of my preferred Universities. due to a server problem I had to send the mail and the documents 6 times (my professor was the cc ) I hope he doesn't get angry :banghead: Will apply to another University next week.
Do we have to send the original certificate of selection to the Universities? At least to one of them? Wish to confirm before I do anything stupid.

I don't believe you need to send it unless the university specifically asks for it. Kobe were happy with pdf copies of all my documents. It's always best to check what each university wants before sending out your only original copy!

(Also I sent my backelor's thesis out like 5 times in 24 hours because there were typos in it, these things happen lol)