MEXT Scholarship (Research/Graduate students) 2018

Centuries said:
What a whirlwind.

I had my tests today: my Japanese is not great at all, so I knew I would not do well on that exam. I passed the English exam and thus was invited to interview. The exams were held in the morning and graded over lunch: the interviews were held after lunch.

There were four research candidates total and we all passed the exams and were interviewed. My interview was last, and hoo boy. There were three interviewers on the panel, and one of them misunderstood what I was planning to study. I suppose he saw "art" and thought "making art", but I had to explain and defend myself that I was not pursuing that. The language was a common topic of discussion, since I do have poor skill, and I was ready to converse about it. They asked me about language barriers and my research abroad I did previously. Overall, the questions were VERY tailored to me: I was not asked anything generic, which surprised me. I think the person who misunderstood my proposal took up some time with strange, irrelevant questions, but I was able to clear it up.

According to the other applicants, the person who gave me a hard time also gave them a hard time. He picked apart their proposals and was very negative. I think he was the "bad cop" and was trying to make the applicants slip up or fluster them. I held my ground and defended well: just stay calm if this happens to you! It could be an act!

I do not think I will pass the interview. My language skills were a concern, and I respect that. It was a long day and I am just so happy that I even made it this far in the process! I made friends with the other applicants who are all just stellar, and I wish them all the best!

Good luck to everyone!
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Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope it ends well.
 
Gugulethu said:
wow congrats! your proposal seemed interesting! did you use the same one you posted here? do fill us in on how it goes. goodluck!
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Yeah I used the same one, will be at the embassy on monday so we will see how it goes ^^
 
I was not one of those that got recommended to the Research Students program after the tests and interview. They did not give any hints on why but I highly expect that my lack of Japanese was a major point but not the biggest.
The biggest point I felt was the thing that I have not at this moment graduated, I got a strong feeling that they just really want everything in the clear before recommending someone just in case I would fail to graduate after they would recommend me.
I did expect that I would not go forward, talked to the others that applied and everyone else had graduated. It was only one else that didn't knew Japanese that well, don't know if he managed to get recommended. This has been a good learning experience and I will apply next year! ^^

Many people there had applied to the program more then just this year, and they explained it as a trial and error system and also highly based on the pool of people that applies, good luck to all of you that got recommended or is still waiting on the results!
 
Hello! My embassy was supposed to contact me today (wether I passed or not) but I didn't get any messages, so I'm gonna contact them on Monday but I'm really scared >.<

Centuries said:
My level is a solid N5, so I am applying for programs in English. The scholarship says that you don't need Japanese language, but my embassy seemed to believe that I needed the language to be picked.
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My embassy is the same, and I hate that
 
Last edited:
NeoMexico said:
So today I called the embassy. It seems that they are still in the process of picking people. They mentioned that they would announce the results today or Monday. It seems I still gotta wait.

I wonder how they go about picking people, because the candidates who get contacted first (specially before the weekend) get a huuuge advantage. Monday is the 12th and the interview is the 15th.... crazy stuff
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Any updates with your application my friend? @NeoMexico
 
unnecesart said:
Thanks, I guess it just all that stress that went into the admission. Yeah, let's hope.

So, they've asked really typical questions:
Why are you interested in Japan?
In what universities do you want to study?
Have you contacted any of the professors?
Do you think you will have any troubles living in Japan?
They also had a specialist for engineering degrees, so he too asked me a technical question.

I think that's all.
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Any updates with your application? @unnecesart
 
Centuries said:
Hm, they asked if you contacted professors already? Is it bad to not have had contact...? I have read not to contact : ( confusing
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Hello my friend, if you're going to ask me, it is not really required to contact your professors first, BUT, having a prospect professor prior the application period really helps a lot especially if you're prepping up for your research proposal. Hope this helps. :) @Centuries
 
Tom48 said:
Some embassies seem to have a quick turnaround - is it always around a week before the interview you find out if you've been selected?

I'm assuming UK applicants won't hear for a while - the deadline for the application was 1 June but the interviews and exams aren't until 17 or 18th July
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Any updates @Tom48 ?
 
Oscar Rova said:
I was not one of those that got recommended to the Research Students program after the tests and interview. They did not give any hints on why but I highly expect that my lack of Japanese was a major point but not the biggest.
The biggest point I felt was the thing that I have not at this moment graduated, I got a strong feeling that they just really want everything in the clear before recommending someone just in case I would fail to graduate after they would recommend me.
I did expect that I would not go forward, talked to the others that applied and everyone else had graduated. It was only one else that didn't knew Japanese that well, don't know if he managed to get recommended. This has been a good learning experience and I will apply next year! ^^

Many people there had applied to the program more then just this year, and they explained it as a trial and error system and also highly based on the pool of people that applies, good luck to all of you that got recommended or is still waiting on the results!
Click to expand...


I can feel you buddy. That also happened to me last year. Don't worry, you still have another option. If you failed the embassy recommendation (like me), try out the university recommendation path. ;) @Oscar Rova
 
Hello folks! For those MEXT applicants looking or searching for Japanese unviersities, but still don't know how to do it, I've prepared an article for you to start off your searching. If you have any queries, please drop a message in the link I will share so that other MEXT applicants will benefits from your questions. Thanks a lot!

Gerald And Adventures: University Selection for MEXT University Recommendation
 
Hello folks! For those MEXT applicants looking or searching for Japanese universities, but still don't know how to do it, I've prepared an article for you to start off your searching. If you have any queries, please drop a message in the link I will share so that other MEXT applicants will benefit from your questions. Thanks a lot!

Gerald And Adventures: University Selection for MEXT University Recommendation
 
Hello guys Anyone from India got selected for the Tests .The result was expected to be out last week of June 2017
 
My embassy contacted me! I passed the exams and will have the interview in about 2 weeks, but they ask me to send them a document indicating my hobbies, extra-curricular activities, personality description and life experiences supporting it, have anyone been requested anything like this? I'm not sure how I should fill it, also I don't know if I should mention that I like anime for example.
 
SayuKami21 said:
My embassy contacted me! I passed the exams and will have the interview in about 2 weeks, but they ask me to send them a document indicating my hobbies, extra-curricular activities, personality description and life experiences supporting it, have anyone been requested anything like this? I'm not sure how I should fill it, also I don't know if I should mention that I like anime for example.
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Congratulations @SayuKami21. Yes, these are the common questions usually asked by Japanese universities to know if an applicant is deserving for the scholarship. Sell yourself with your answers in a humble way. :)
 
Got invited to the exams on the 4th. My Japanese language is a not-so-solid N2 so I hope it'll be okay. It seems like they're going to interview everyone who passed the document screening.

Anyway, good luck everyone!
 
Hey
Xodarap said:
Got invited to the exams on the 4th. My Japanese language is a not-so-solid N2 so I hope it'll be okay. It seems like they're going to interview everyone who passed the document screening.

Anyway, good luck everyone!
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Congrats! How long was it before they contacted you ?
 
I have my interview on Saturday ! Wishing good luck and the best to those with upcoming interviews and exams.

I've been preparing for my interview but for those who have already done them, is there any advice you'd be willing to share? Thank you !
 
Alexaandra12 said:
I have my interview on Saturday ! Wishing good luck and the best to those with upcoming interviews and exams.

I've been preparing for my interview but for those who have already done them, is there any advice you'd be willing to share? Thank you !
Click to expand...
Congratulations @Alexaandra12 :)
We're so happy for you. Let us know how it goes for you pal. God bless. :)
 

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