MEXT Scholarship (Research/Graduate students) 2018

[Houjou]

After being accepted by the university, is there anything that can go wrong? I am really scared, after all!

 

[Andrik]

After being accepted by the university, is there anything that can go wrong? I am really scared, after all!

I think after you give your LoAs back to your country's embassy, there won't be anything left to do. It'll all be in MEXT's hands. So, just sit back, relax, and hope for the best!

 

[Alexaandra12]

Just wanted to give an update! I wasn't accepted by my first choice. They didn't give a reason as to why not so... womp womp. However, my second choice said they will process my application and get back with me within this week. They asked me to answer a couple of questions too. So, we'll see how this goes. I've also reached out to a couple of more schools.

Again, best of luck to those trying to get their LOAs. Please keep me updated!

 

[Andrik]

Just wanted to give an update! I wasn't accepted by my first choice. They didn't give a reason as to why not so... womp womp. However, my second choice said they will process my application and get back with me within this week. They asked me to answer a couple of questions too. So, we'll see how this goes. I've also reached out to a couple of more schools.

Again, best of luck to those trying to get their LOAs. Please keep me updated!

Glad to hear that your second choice is going through with your application! The other professor I contacted wanted me to answer a bunch of questions too. I think he just wanted to make sure that I've read his papers, that I'm interested in the field, and stuff.

I'm still lost on where to apply as my last choice school... I'm feeling burnt out from finding advisors in my field of interest. Anyways, best of luck to you too! I hope everything goes well, and the other universities contact you back!:emoji_fingers_crossed:

 

[SayuKami21]

Hello guys!! I was selected by my embassy!!! Wuju!!! I'm so happy! I can't believe it!! Now I'm off to get those LoAs!!! good luck to us all!! =)

 

[Gerald&ADVs]

Just wanted to give an update! I wasn't accepted by my first choice. They didn't give a reason as to why not so... womp womp. However, my second choice said they will process my application and get back with me within this week. They asked me to answer a couple of questions too. So, we'll see how this goes. I've also reached out to a couple of more schools.

Again, best of luck to those trying to get their LOAs. Please keep me updated!

I will pray for your LOA my friend. See you soon in Japan. @Alexaandra12

 

[Gerald&ADVs]

Hello guys!! I was selected by my embassy!!! Wuju!!! I'm so happy! I can't believe it!! Now I'm off to get those LoAs!!! good luck to us all!! =)

Congratulations @SayuKami21 !!! See you in Japan.

 

[Gerald&ADVs]

Glad to hear that your second choice is going through with your application! The other professor I contacted wanted me to answer a bunch of questions too. I think he just wanted to make sure that I've read his papers, that I'm interested in the field, and stuff.

I'm still lost on where to apply as my last choice school... I'm feeling burnt out from finding advisors in my field of interest. Anyways, best of luck to you too! I hope everything goes well, and the other universities contact you back!:emoji_fingers_crossed:

I will pray for your university huntung my friend. Fingers crossed. @Andrik

 

[Kingler]

Hello co-applicants. MEXT is just new to me, can anyone explain to me how it works? Or any link that will make me understand it. Thank you.

 

[Alexaandra12]

Hello co-applicants. MEXT is just new to me, can anyone explain to me how it works? Or any link that will make me understand it. Thank you.

The MEXT Scholarship is a scholarship offered by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (I believe) in Japan. There are four scholarships; the research scholarship is for future grad students or people who want to do research in Japan. It's a full tuition scholarship and if you get it, you'll receive a monthly stipend.

You first have to apply either through the University or Embassy Recommendation. If you apply through your local Japanese embassy, you'll have to go through submitting application materials, an interview and obtaining letter of acceptances from Japanese universities. If you manage to do all three, your application is send to Tokyo for a second screening and you'll be notified whether you received the scholarship or not.

Hope this helps!

 

[Xodarap]

Anyone else on the brink of a nervous breakdown? Two of my three universities said it'll take about 3 weeks. Tokyo didn't give a deadline. I guess I did all I can but I'm still going crazy -_-. Just wanted to vent.

 

[Andrik]

Anyone else on the brink of a nervous breakdown? Two of my three universities said it'll take about 3 weeks. Tokyo didn't give a deadline. I guess I did all I can but I'm still going crazy -_-. Just wanted to vent.

I dunno why I feel so relaxed, despite only applying for two schools so far. Anyways, theoretically you could get by with just a single LoA from one university. So if two universities tell you it's going to take three weeks then they're already processing your paperwork -- that's good news I think. When is the deadline that you need to hand it in to your country's embassy/consulate general?

I also applied to U of Tokyo, and the prof I talked with didn't tell me anything about deadlines, other than "I'm going to talk with the admin at my department, and let you know how to proceed." So maybe that's just how they do things there?

Yeah looks like you did all you can so far, and I think you're in a good spot so no need to be so worried! :emoji_wink::emoji_thumbsup:

 

[SayuKami21]

^ Wish I had your attitude, I'm more like Xodarap, I'm dying here, I had previously contacted 3 universities before getting the scholarship, I contacted them again and one told me they are processing my LoA (didn't tell me how long it would take), the other told me the professor cannot accept me because her office term is expiring soon (or something along those lines) and the other wants me but they are looking for the right supervisor for me and they told me I might have to change my research I think I will contact them again because they haven't told me anything in a week, so I feel like crying T.T, I contacted like 4 universities yesterday and none of them have reply to me, maybe I should give them like 2 days? I have a friend that told me universities are on summer break but they still will answer me (if they want to), so I dk what to feel xD

 

[Tom48]

^ Wish I had your attitude, I'm more like Xodarap, I'm dying here, I had previously contacted 3 universities before getting the scholarship, I contacted them again and one told me they are processing my LoA (didn't tell me how long it would take), the other told me the professor cannot accept me because her office term is expiring soon (or something along those lines) and the other wants me but they are looking for the right supervisor for me and they told me I might have to change my research I think I will contact them again because they haven't told me anything in a week, so I feel like crying T.T, I contacted like 4 universities yesterday and none of them have reply to me, maybe I should give them like 2 days? I have a friend that told me universities are on summer break but they still will answer me (if they want to), so I dk what to feel xD

It'll be fine don't worry! Is your research only possible with very specialised professors or can you try and find a new professor instead of the one whose office term is expiring at the same university? Also, if they're not all former imperial universities or all in Tokyo you should be fairly certain for LOA I think (I made the mistake of not choosing a proper backup haha!)

 

[Andrik]

It'll be fine don't worry! Is your research only possible with very specialised professors or can you try and find a new professor instead of the one whose office term is expiring at the same university? Also, if they're not all former imperial universities or all in Tokyo you should be fairly certain for LOA I think (I made the mistake of not choosing a proper backup haha!)

^^^ @SayuKami21, I second everything that Tom says! Definitely, if you can spare the time, try to find Professors that may be able to supervise your project, or even a related project around the same field. I'm no expert, but the info I hear seems to all indicate that. Good luck!

 

[Andrik]

and the other wants me but they are looking for the right supervisor for me and they told me I might have to change my research

^^^ In my opinion, you should be open to changing your research theme. First off, I feel a lot of people go into the world dead-set on something without even giving something else a try, and some find themselves at dead ends that way. Second, research happens in the context of the world, and if they don't think a topic is worth funding etc. you should be open to adapting to it. Last, no one knows what is going to happen, so you may as well roll with it.

I would tell them that "I'm open to pursuing research in related fields". I think it's better to be open to adapting to them (should you be placed there), rather than potentially not getting a supervisor there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[unnecesart]

Got my results from the Embassy yesterday—I failed, to my great sadness. Will have to work on myself and try next year, I guess!
Congratulations to all of those, who made it!

I was wondering, could you share your research topics, if you can? It will be really helpful to see topics, that are good enough. Thanks!

 

[SayuKami21]

Thank you guys, I feel a little more at ease now

^ Sad to hear that, but hey I got it in the second try so if you prepare properly you can get it too!! also what is your field?

 

[Alyssa]

Got the result that I passed the first screening round yesterday ^^ Time for getting LoAs and waiting. Good luck to all of you..

 

[Centuries]

Small update on my end...

Nagoya has received my documents and I am in contact with my potential advisor. It's been about a week since the receipt of the documents. I am not sure if Nagoya sends notification via email or if it's mail only.

My documents have reached Waseda and they only do notifications by mail. Waiting patiently.

I have not submitted to Todai yet... it's pretty complicated and my potential advisor has stopped responding. I'm thinking about approaching a different school and asking my embassy if I can change the preference form. It sounds like I chose some difficult universities.

What a process.

 

[unnecesart]

^ Sad to hear that, but hey I got it in the second try so if you prepare properly you can get it too!! also what is your field?

My field is Electronics Engineering. Have you changed your topic the second time? I'm not sure, what to do: to just refine my research as it is, or to come up with something new.

 

[Akumzui]

Small update on my end...

Nagoya has received my documents and I am in contact with my potential advisor. It's been about a week since the receipt of the documents. I am not sure if Nagoya sends notification via email or if it's mail only.

My documents have reached Waseda and they only do notifications by mail. Waiting patiently.

I have not submitted to Todai yet... it's pretty complicated and my potential advisor has stopped responding. I'm thinking about approaching a different school and asking my embassy if I can change the preference form. It sounds like I chose some difficult universities.

What a process.

I am a bit surprised to find out that this could have been a longer process. All the professors I've contacted just required scans of my documents (they did not require me to send them any documents per mail).

 

[Akumzui]

My field is Electronics Engineering. Have you changed your topic the second time? I'm not sure, what to do: to just refine my research as it is, or to come up with something new.

May I ask what your topic was? If you don't feel comfortable telling us, that's fine

 

[SayuKami21]

Updating: Never thought this phase was going to stress me out so much! It seems like I've got 2 LoAs secure, though they are still been processed and one university is asking me more documents and they are going into summer break so I dk when I'm going to get my LoA T.T, I have been looking for a third university and it seems like many are how do I say this kind of jealous? like they care about the placement order...

Small update on my end...

Nagoya has received my documents and I am in contact with my potential advisor. It's been about a week since the receipt of the documents. I am not sure if Nagoya sends notification via email or if it's mail only.

My documents have reached Waseda and they only do notifications by mail. Waiting patiently.

I have not submitted to Todai yet... it's pretty complicated and my potential advisor has stopped responding. I'm thinking about approaching a different school and asking my embassy if I can change the preference form. It sounds like I chose some difficult universities.

What a process.

mmm I have been in contact with Nagoya and Todai, and neither of them ask me anything via air mail, and all communication has been through e-mail, dk about waseda though, about your tutor not responding something similar happened to me, and I was told by the other staff that most professors are in summer break right now, also I have a friend that got the scholarship last year told me I can change the placement preference form once I get those LoAs!!

My field is Electronics Engineering. Have you changed your topic the second time? I'm not sure, what to do: to just refine my research as it is, or to come up with something new.

No I didn't, but in my case I knew that my research wasn't the problem, the first time I didn't pass the language tests, so I study Japanese and pass this time, so you gotta see what is it that your lacking, is your research not strong enough? did you fail to answer something correctly during the interview? Unfortunately I dk anything about your field so I cannot give you any specific advise

 

[Centuries]

I was able to submit over email with Nagoya. I'm going to check in with my potential advisor to see if he has been approached to sign the letter.

I am now just hoping I get two letters and forget about Todai.

Now I'm scared about the placement preference I hope I don't get denied by my third choice because now that I've been able to actually speak to potential advisors the preference has changed...