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MEXT Scholarship (Research/Graduate students) 2018

HI everyone!!!
Two days ago I received final notification from the Japanese embassy in Guinea: going to Nagoya University graduate school of economics. I'm so happy the wait in finally over for me....
A thought to those who're still waiting, I believe its just a matter of time.
Has anyone going to Nagoya been contacted by the univ for dorm arrangements or some other stuffs already?
 
Congrats everyone! It is so good to hear all the positive news!

So, I was doing some research again this morning (applying next deadline) and I found this piece of article pretty confusing:

'What actually happens is if you apply through the embassy, you will normally arrive as a "research student" (kenkyuusei) not formally enrolled on a course. From April / October you have 2 / 1.5 years to take the entrance exam at your university and enrol as a masters or doctoral student. You can then apply for an extension of the scholarship for 2 or 3 years respectively. After a masters you can apply again to start a PhD. Generally it is not possible to start directly on a course, because you have to pass the entrance exam which you can only take in Japan.' (MEXT research scholarship advice, part 1: Before starting the application | ジョジーナ

So, when you start your MEXT, you can't enroll in a course/university directly as far as I can understand from this piece? So for example: I would like to do an English course at XX University, I can't start with that upon getting the MEXT and arriving in Japan because I first have to take an enterance exam?
 
I just got the official notification today from the Canadian Embassy that I got the Scholarship! Hope you guys that are still waiting will hear soon!

'What actually happens is if you apply through the embassy, you will normally arrive as a "research student" (kenkyuusei) not formally enrolled on a course. From April / October you have 2 / 1.5 years to take the entrance exam at your university and enrol as a masters or doctoral student. You can then apply for an extension of the scholarship for 2 or 3 years respectively. After a masters you can apply again to start a PhD. Generally it is not possible to start directly on a course, because you have to pass the entrance exam which you can only take in Japan.' (MEXT research scholarship advice, part 1: Before starting the application | ジョジーナ

So, when you start your MEXT, you can't enroll in a course/university directly as far as I can understand from this piece? So for example: I would like to do an English course at XX University, I can't start with that upon getting the MEXT and arriving in Japan because I first have to take an enterance exam?

Yes, you are correct. I think most of the time people end up in the situation that you are describing, me included.
I'd arrive in April as a Research Student, doing funded research up to a period of two years. Then in August I would write the Entrance Exams. Only after passing will I be formally enrolled in the Graduate School and my status updated.

But this isn't always the case, as it depends on the Graduate School you are applying to. For example, I already passed my exam for a different Graduate School last December, and I was set to formally enrol in April. In this case I would arrive in April as a Degree-Seeking Graduate Student (forgot the specific term they use), and I would funded until completion of my degree.
 
Hi again folks!!
I just received an email from the Graduate School of Economics of Nagoya University regarding dorm arrangements, and have really started wondering wether I should leave on or off campus ????
So exited btw!!!
 
I also received my acceptance from Tokyo Tech last week. Unless there's a drastic change of plans, I should be starting this October. :)
 
Congrats everyone! It is so good to hear all the positive news!

So, I was doing some research again this morning (applying next deadline) and I found this piece of article pretty confusing:

'What actually happens is if you apply through the embassy, you will normally arrive as a "research student" (kenkyuusei) not formally enrolled on a course. From April / October you have 2 / 1.5 years to take the entrance exam at your university and enrol as a masters or doctoral student. You can then apply for an extension of the scholarship for 2 or 3 years respectively. After a masters you can apply again to start a PhD. Generally it is not possible to start directly on a course, because you have to pass the entrance exam which you can only take in Japan.' (MEXT research scholarship advice, part 1: Before starting the application | ジョジーナ

So, when you start your MEXT, you can't enroll in a course/university directly as far as I can understand from this piece? So for example: I would like to do an English course at XX University, I can't start with that upon getting the MEXT and arriving in Japan because I first have to take an enterance exam?


It's certainly not impossible, but be aware that the whole process is much more complicated if you want to enter as a degree-seeking student straight away. I applied to two universities and one of them required me to go to Japan for the entrance exam/interview.
In both cases I had to apply twice per uni (once to be accepted as a MEXT research student and once for the actual degree program) and I had to pass both separate processes to get in. It was just a lot of effort and it felt like I had to send some documents to Japan every week...but it really depends on the uni I guess. I feel like the application process for courses taught in English is sometimes not as elaborate as it is for the regular Japanese courses. Again it depends :)
If you don't mind the additional effort or you find a uni that doesn't require you to go to Japan for an entrance exam, I don't see much of a problem. You might still be able to enter as a research student if you fail the entrance exam.
 
@ Andrik & Kareirin

Thank you for your response! The process is quite different from the process in my home country so reading all this information seems a little bit confusing at times. I'm sorry to bother you again, but perhaps you could shed some final light on my 'current' situation.

I've recently graduated from my bachelor and I am planning on applying this year for the MEXT. As far as I understand I will first be a research student and can apply for getting a master after those two years. But as you are doing research, you are not enrolled in any type of course? Since you have to be accepted by an university this seems quite odd and it is totally different from the schooling system I'm used to. I've seen some great programs that would fit perfectly with my research proposal but now I am not sure anymore on what will happen. My initial plan was to go for a degree during the two year stay in Japan (through English taught courses) but it seems a bit more complicated then that from what I gather. I've read the research plan that Lars (the cartoonist) posted for example but I don't see any mentions of certain courses he will be taking as well during the time of his research so that is why it confused me a little bit. I'm not sure if Germany has the same schooling system as Holland @Kareirin but maybe I could contact you in a private message?
 
@ Andrik & Kareirin

Thank you for your response! The process is quite different from the process in my home country so reading all this information seems a little bit confusing at times. I'm sorry to bother you again, but perhaps you could shed some final light on my 'current' situation.

I've recently graduated from my bachelor and I am planning on applying this year for the MEXT. As far as I understand I will first be a research student and can apply for getting a master after those two years. But as you are doing research, you are not enrolled in any type of course? Since you have to be accepted by an university this seems quite odd and it is totally different from the schooling system I'm used to. I've seen some great programs that would fit perfectly with my research proposal but now I am not sure anymore on what will happen. My initial plan was to go for a degree during the two year stay in Japan (through English taught courses) but it seems a bit more complicated then that from what I gather. I've read the research plan that Lars (the cartoonist) posted for example but I don't see any mentions of certain courses he will be taking as well during the time of his research so that is why it confused me a little bit. I'm not sure if Germany has the same schooling system as Holland @Kareirin but maybe I could contact you in a private message?

Yeah sure, feel free to message me :)
 
Hi everyone!
Is it only me or this year's thread is a little dull???
Last year by this same period they were above 1000 replies, we haven't even got to 700...
Btw... The orientation session in my country was today... we were debriefed on life in Japan and all the likes... We also signed the pledge and were given the Visa application form, but couldn't instantly fill it in because of some specific infos (day, time and port of entry), so were told to wait for the flight tickets for these information. Hope all keeps on going smooth.
Any update on your side???
 
Hi Ni-no-san! We have a Whatsapp group, and have friends from Phillippines, they have received emails regarding their confirmation from embassy. I would suggest you to call your embassy once and confirm the information.
Best Wishes!
Hi Gen23@07! Sorry for the late reply and thanks for the advise. I actually sent an email to the Embassy and was advised that they were still waiting for another batch of results from MEXT...

And finally yesterday, I got my acceptance!! I will now be studying at Toyo University! It was my first choice and a private university so I am very happy that I will be going there.

However, based on the Placement Notice I received, I will only be studying one year in Toyo University (6 months of Japanese language class then 12 months in Toyo University). If I don't get to finish my research in one year, can I possibly request for an extension of the scholarship...?
 
Hi everyone!
Is it only me or this year's thread is a little dull???
Last year by this same period they were above 1000 replies, we haven't even got to 700...
Btw... The orientation session in my country was today... we were debriefed on life in Japan and all the likes... We also signed the pledge and were given the Visa application form, but couldn't instantly fill it in because of some specific infos (day, time and port of entry), so were told to wait for the flight tickets for these information. Hope all keeps on going smooth.
Any update on your side???
Hi CED! In India, the tickets will be mailed to us by 1st week of march, after which we can apply for visa. And we have not received any news about orientation, but pretty expectant about it. :emoji_grin:
 
Hi Gen23@07! Sorry for the late reply and thanks for the advise. I actually sent an email to the Embassy and was advised that they were still waiting for another batch of results from MEXT...

And finally yesterday, I got my acceptance!! I will now be studying at Toyo University! It was my first choice and a private university so I am very happy that I will be going there.

However, based on the Placement Notice I received, I will only be studying one year in Toyo University (6 months of Japanese language class then 12 months in Toyo University). If I don't get to finish my research in one year, can I possibly request for an extension of the scholarship...?
Can I know which program you applied for? Is it only research, Masters or Doctoral? I am a PhD candidate, but will have the title of 'Research Student' till I pass the university entrance in November and then will be an official PhD student in April 2019.
 
I applied for the Master's program. I am scheduled to leave on October 2018. In the letter, it says my scholarship period is from October 2018 to March 2020 only
 
I applied for the Master's program. I am scheduled to leave on October 2018. In the letter, it says my scholarship period is from October 2018 to March 2020 only
Yes, so that is the time frame in which you have to pass the entrance of your university. Eg: When you reach Japan this October, you will appear for the entrance exam to qualify as Masters student, and after passing the entrance you will be an official Masters student and the 2 years for your course will be extended. (Hope I'm not confusing you :-D)
 
Yes, so that is the time frame in which you have to pass the entrance of your university. Eg: When you reach Japan this October, you will appear for the entrance exam to qualify as Masters student, and after passing the entrance you will be an official Masters student and the 2 years for your course will be extended. (Hope I'm not confusing you :-D)
Oh I get it now. Thanks a lot for the clarification! ^_^
 
Hello. Anyone going to University of Tokyo? Let's get to know each other before we arrive in Japan! I will be there in April.
 
Hello. Anyone going to University of Tokyo? Let's get to know each other before we arrive in Japan! I will be there in April.
Hi Wiem! I'm gonna be going to U of Tokyo this April too! Graduate School of Frontier Science, but at Hongo Campus. How about you?
 
Hi everyone!
Is it only me or this year's thread is a little dull???
Last year by this same period they were above 1000 replies, we haven't even got to 700...
Btw... The orientation session in my country was today... we were debriefed on life in Japan and all the likes... We also signed the pledge and were given the Visa application form, but couldn't instantly fill it in because of some specific infos (day, time and port of entry), so were told to wait for the flight tickets for these information. Hope all keeps on going smooth.
Any update on your side???
Hey ! This year we got a global whatsapp group for MEXT students ! If u are not a member you can join with us !
 
Hi Gen23@07! Sorry for the late reply and thanks for the advise. I actually sent an email to the Embassy and was advised that they were still waiting for another batch of results from MEXT...

And finally yesterday, I got my acceptance!! I will now be studying at Toyo University! It was my first choice and a private university so I am very happy that I will be going there.

However, based on the Placement Notice I received, I will only be studying one year in Toyo University (6 months of Japanese language class then 12 months in Toyo University). If I don't get to finish my research in one year, can I possibly request for an extension of the scholarship...?
Hey ! Congratulations for your result !
It's santanu from India going to unUniversi of Tsukuba this April !
We have a WhatsApp group . If h wush you can join with us... :)
 
Hey ! Congratulations for your result !
It's santanu from India going to unUniversi of Tsukuba this April !
We have a WhatsApp group . If h wush you can join with us... 🙂:
Hey Santanu! Thanks a lot! :)

I will definitely join the WhatsApp group. I'm just in another country right now so my local number is not functioning properly. :emoji_sweat_smile:
 
Hello. Anyone going to University of Tokyo? Let's get to know each other before we arrive in Japan! I will be there in April.
Me.... I'm going go the dept of biomaterials, grad school of agricultural and life sciences.
 
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