J-College for Dummies: Junior Edition

[Endsight61]

Hi, Everyone!

I need some help. Once I graduate from high school, I plan on attending Tokyo University. However, I have never been to Japan before, nor do I know the customs for school. What are the schedules like? If the school year begins in April, when do I take the entrance exams? If I have a student visa, can I still work there (I have to support myself somehow you know)? Should I be fluent in basic Japanese if I wish to attend school there? :? I have so many questions, but I still would like to go to college there. So if in any way you can help, I would appreciate it. Oh, I am not aware of many universities/colleges in Japan, so if you wish to suggest any of the ones you know, I would be most grateful. Most grateful. Most grateful.

Arigato, Honto Arigato!

 

[budd]

The University of Tokyo

Official website of the University of Tokyo. Features an introduction to UTokyo, its research and international activities, admissions and other information.

www.u-tokyo.ac.jp

 

[Endsight61]

Thanks, Budd for the info!!

 

[Endsight61]

Would anyone recommend some classes I should take before I a go?

 

[Endsight61]

Okay, I have not been in this one for a while, but I am in serious need for help.
So far I have checked out Tokyo U's website and Tokyo International U's website and both vaguely refer to international students studying at their university for four years (full or whatever they call it nowadays). On top of that, both seem to offer only language courses for those lucky international students allowed to attend as exchange students in a study abroad program. I have nothing against the study abroad programs or student exchange programs, but I do not want to go to the university for two semesters and then split! I really want to stay for the four years and take in everything I possibly can. I have until Sept. 2006 to figure out these two universities because they are my first choices. If I cannot sort this thing out, my second choice is the University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus). Thanks, guys...I really need this help.

 

[budd]

Main its been seven months since then and still, got questions about the university?
Serious about going to Todai for real? or just done watched too much love Hina?
Being serious and asking if done, emailed the university for advice?
I would take anything that they say over anything anybody had here to post, like everything in Japan is on a case-by-case basis (it's their culture?)
I'm nice by saying a brother better kick it up a notch if planning to run with the bulls
maybe concentrate on Waseda instead?

http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/overseas/programs/japan/waseda/
interesting
http://www.japan.com/study/international/schools/index.php
gl hth

 

[hebiichigo]

Firstly I'm not actually sure what kind of information you're looking for:?

I agree with Budd; you should contact the university directly if you're really concerned about something.

Tokyo University's site does have the information about admission requirements for International students.. Look on this page, and you'll find it hidden in the column at the left.

And maybe you already know this, but I'm sure if you want to attend a Japanese university as an International student, (not as an exchange or short term program) you will need to have a university-level understanding of the Japanese language, to be admitted as an Under Graduate.
This means taking the EJU or the JLPT. (I think which test you take depends on the school)

I'm just wondering if you have this level of proficiency in Japanese yet?
I certainly don't

Perhaps the reason universities offer language programs is to reach the appropriate level of Japanese first, and then continue to a Japanese university. Doesn't seem like a bad option if you're serious about it.

 

[cyberryo]

Is endsight61 genuinely serious about going to Todai for the Bachelor's program?

He's 16 years old according to his profile. I do not see how he can pass Todai's entrance exams for international students unless he is pretty brilliant, has skipped a few grades in school before, and now studying the equivalent of British GCE Advanced Levels (normally done by 18 years old students), and passed JLPT1.

I am adding info here for people who ARE serious about attending Japanese U 4-year Bachelors program from my own previous experience:

1. You will need to pass JLPT1. This means that you must study the language diligently and read and write in Japanese proficiently. The U lectures are in Japanese; reports are in Japanese and exams in Japanese. Most of your fellow students are also Japanese. So, be prepared for tutorials, study sessions in Japanese, and laboratory work and Japanese discussion for science and engineering students. This must be clear.

2. There is also a common exam for international students in Nov or Dec when they have to sit for maths, physics etc. This results will be considered together with the language exams results above. Again, the questions will be in Japanese. The only exams not in Japanese is the English Proficiency exams.

3. After this, the universities have their own entrance exams (in Japanese) for international students. The exams' content depends on the individual universities. Needless to say, the top Japanese U are very very vigorous in this exercise, and also has a face to face interviews to screen out the applicants. Previously, I understand that they each have a quota reserved for international students in a year. This means that the international students wanting to enter the better universities have to compete with the other international students.

The common road took (also less expensive) if you have not learnt Japanese at an advanced level yet is:

1. Enrol in Language School within Japan in April. Within 6-7 months, pick up the Japanese language, memorise about 2000 kanji characters, their phonetics and usage, listen to Japanese TV news, practise speaking in Japanese etc. People who know the Mandarin language have a slight advantage as they will find it easier to learn the kanji characters. People with Korean language background will also find it easier as the Korean sentence pattern is similar to the Japanese language pattern, i.e. subject-predicate- verb. If you are serious about entering the good Japanese U for the Bachelor programs, start studying Japanese earlier.

2. Sit for the JPLT1 and common (Kyotsu Ichi ji) exams in Nov and Dec. Pass with flying colours if aiming for the national universities such as Todai, etc. Apply for their entrance exams Jan/Feb. If approved, the applicant can start the semester in early April.

People preparing to study Master and above programs at the various U do not need to go through this hassle completely as their thesis papers could be in English. And quite a bit of the interaction at the Masters Level could be in English. At this stage, it is a case by case assessment, depending on the mentoring professor.

All the best!
Ken

 

[Ewok85]

Just note that going for JLPT1 in a year is one mean feat, I had 4 years of high school behind me and I scraped in on JLPT2.

Basically if you want to stay for a full 4 years you need to be fluent, and your chem and maths has to be a very high standard too.

 

[cyberryo]

If they can secure grade A or B for GCE A-Level in maths, chem and physics, I don`t think it is a problem handling the kyotsu ichiji exams. The problem I think, is the JLPT 1 Japanese proficiency exams. I do not think it is easy for someone in another country to quickly pick up Japanese unless they are totally immersed in the language or put it crudely, forced to eat, sleep, dream, think, and listen in Japanese. Personally, I started my language class in April without even knowing what is aiueo and went on to the U the following April. I know many who did it too. The end state was important enough for us to stay the path, and put in the work. Of course, knowing Chinese kanji characters helped immensely too.
Ken

 

[Endsight61]

Thanks, everyone. Wow, Budd you counted I know you guys must think that I have not really thought about it. To be honest with you Budd, I have been thinking about Todai since I was in Eighth grade. A relative of mine started reading Love Hina when I was in Tenth and laughed because they said that I must really want to go there because most of Hina's characters failed their first attempts.Ken/Cyberryo, the advice you gave is really valuable, and I plan on taking it. Although I have not taken any classes yet, I have been studying as hard as possible. But do not worry, I'm not a wiz or something, I do however plan on being a forensic pathologist, so I know my math and chem skills/grades have to be more than outstanding Hebiichigo, I did check that corner way before you told me; as a matter a fact, I printed the entire manual so that I could have a hard copy to read myself. I'll keep you guys posted on how I am progressing-for those who might be interested in seeing how this turns out.

P.S.: I'm shocked that you guys did not know that I am a girl

 

[cyberryo]

If you plan on going into forensic pathology, you will need to enter the medical school. Medical school within Japan will definitely need you to be very good in Japanese at the undergraduate level as many of the terms are in Kanji. In engineering, we could still communicate using equations. All the best.
Ken

 

[Endsight61]

Lucky. Thanks and like I said, I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[Wataru]

Are you a sophomore or junior?

I am looking to go ICU (international Christian college) in Tokyo for 1 year; you do not have to be Christian; actually, 70% of the students are not religious. A lady came to our class to talk about ICU, and I'm sure you can go to ICU without knowing a word of Japanese because they have an excellent Japanese program that you will take.

What makes you want to study in Japan?

 

[cyberryo]

My wife graduated from ICU. Good for you to go there for the exchange program. I understand that entering this U is not easy for Japanese students as the entrance exams are difficult compared to other private U.. Still, it should be fun from what I am hearing for international students. There are many international students in the basketball club.
Ken

 

[Wataru]

My wife graduated from ICU. Good for you to go there for the exchange program. I understand that entering this U is not easy for Japanese students as the entrance exams are difficult compared to other private U.. Still, it should be fun from what I am hearing for international students. There are many international students in the basketball club.
Ken

That is awesome that your wife graduated from ICU, is she Japanese or attended that college with the exchange program?

I was sad to hear that they only have a women's lacrosse club, I know lacrosse is growing in Japan, but I don't know if I will find a club team to play with.

 

[cyberryo]

She is Japanese. She still has links with many of her U friends through work etc. I think it is a good place to build a good network and friendships.
Have fun!
Ken

 

[budd]

"P.S.: I'm shocked that you guys did not know that I am a girl"

my answer does not change

 

[toritaiyo]

Sophia University my the good for you

An education completely in English. The campus in the middle of Tokyo. In the top 5 schools in Japan. Great Japanese program. 1/3 tuition waiver for all international students.
That is where I have been going for the last three years.
there's similar to the faculty's website http://www.fcc.sophia.ac.jp
I hope that is useful. I can answer other questions about Japan that you may have too (of course I bet a lot of other people here could too, as they are) and I have two websites related to Japan http://nipponster.com and http://gaijinbook.org (still working on this one)

 

[cyberryo]

Sophia U requires a relatively high T-score (hensachi) to enter for the local Japanese. It is strong in comparative culture studies and is better known within Japan among the private universities.
Ken

 

[Endsight61]

Are you a sophomore or junior?
I am looking to go ICU (international Christian college) in Tokyo for 1 year; you do not have to be Christian; actually, 70% of the students are not religious. A lady came to our class to talk about ICU, and I'm sure you can go to ICU without knowing a word of Japanese because they have an excellent Japanese program that you will take.
What makes you want to study in Japan?

I'm a junior. I have always wanted to study medicine in Japan since I could view science from a different culture. That is why I want to study all over the world if I can. I have time, though.

"P.S.: I'm shocked that you guys did not know that I am a girl."

my answer does not change
11-01-06 10:11

I know Budd, I know. It takes some people a while to understand*laughs knowing she's just joking around*

 

[Endsight61]

Sophia U requires a relatively high T-score (hensachi) to enter for the local Japanese. It is strong in comparative cultural studies and is better known within Japan among the private universities.
Ken

Could you expand a little on this T-score thing, please??☝

An education completely in English. The campus in the middle of Tokyo. In the top 5 schools in Japan. Great Japanese program. 1/3 tuition waiver for all international students.
That is where I have been going for the last three years.
there's similar to the faculty's website http://www.fcc.sophia.ac.jp
I hope that is useful. I can answer other questions about Japan that you may have too (of course I bet a lot of other people here could too, as they are) and I have two websites related to Japan http://nipponster.com and http://gaijinbook.org (still working on this one)

Thanks for telling me about this link. *goes to try it now*

 

[Laura-chan]

Sorry, but I have another question...
I'm a german girl, but I want to know out japan(maybe *lol*)
how is it with the ijime for german persons?
I know, it's a strange question but...I hope you can answer me!!

LG laura

 

[Endsight61]

Well, I'm obviously not an expert,but what is your question? You never know...we might know the answer...*looks to see if anyone does know*

 

[Laura-chan]

ijime is something like mobbing...I heard that some people from Germany or Austria or whatever could have some problems with this mobbing in Japanese schools ... someone who was already in japan could maybe my answer...-.-' (sorry my English isn't well at all...)

LG Laura