MEXT - Confusion

[Lariemeeva]

I can't help but wonder. Japan is one of the if not the most advanced country in the world, yet the MEXT scholarship mentions no major in IT whatsoever. I was really surprised, I mean they're people who pioneered computer graphics and software. So I noticed the field Humanities and Social Sciences had "others" in it and it's mentioned that there'd be a slim chance if you pick it but I went ahead and researched faculties of universities in Japan in Humanities and Social Sciences, to my relief some listed computer graphics and design under there!! I know it was a stupid move but I put my first choice Graphic Design, second choice was also Art design and third was computer science (how can they not have that?). It's risky but I'm not studying something I don't want. What does everyone think about this issue?

Secondly, the Japanese exam. I've looked at past papers and it's so damn hard. The only ones who can score a good mark in it are the ones who don't need the 1 year Japanese language study, yet the MEXT guide says that you don't have to know japanese fluently in order to apply. Isn't that self contradictory? What's the point of taking courses if were going to know the language that deeply?

Also, already asked in another thread but got no reply, what do you guys think the Japanese exam level is? And can I possibly be able to at least pass the paper in 1 month of hard core studying if I know basics like the Kana?
This is a sample of a past examination test in Japanese:
ドメインパーキング

 

[thepie]

Well, IT/CS is not one of the focus to attract foreign students, but to say that there is nothing about IT is wrong. I am a CS students with MEXT scholarship, and I know tons of MEXT recipients in CS at my university.

I'm not sure if you're apply for the undergraduate or graduate degree, but as far as I know, you can take exams in either English or Japanese. If you're an undergrad, you'll have 1 year of language training. If you're a grad, typically you'll spend six months as a research students before taking the official entrance exam to your Master's/PhD degree. Some people got direct admissions but I don't think it's very common with embassy recommendation. With university recommendation, you don't even have to sit for exams since the university will interview you directly (through your prospective professor) - but this is not popular and you'll need a good profile to impress your professor.

Anyway, I don't think it's a wise idea to choose Humanities and Social Sciences since I think you'll need a high level of Japanese, probably that's what the committee would expect from you. Also, it seems a bit contradicting between computer science and humanity. So be careful with what you choose.

And by the way, if you're an undergrad, you'll have one year before making the official choice (a.k.a taking the entrance exam). In case of graduate, it's almost impossible to change major. So be careful!

 

[Lariemeeva]

First off thanks for the reply. I'm applying for the undergrad course, and just to be clear I didn't choose humanities and social science, I simply wrote under my first choice graphic design and third choice was computer science. I guess it's a relief to know that there are CS MEXT students, from what you're saying, I'm safe then?

About the exam, to clear it up, I wanted to know how much I have to study for in Japanese? like in JLPT level? I have about a month and I'm ready to dedicate myself as long as I know that it's a level or two that I have to get done. Also, if I picked CS or Graphic Design, will my exam be different?

Again thank you for answering, I'm honored to be receiving feedback from a successful MEXT applicant.

 

[ankitravankar]

First off thanks for the reply. I'm applying for the undergrad course, and just to be clear I didn't choose humanities and social science, I simply wrote under my first choice graphic design and third choice was computer science. I guess it's a relief to know that there are CS MEXT students, from what you're saying, I'm safe then?

About the exam, to clear it up, I wanted to know how much I have to study for in Japanese? like in JLPT level? I have about a month and I'm ready to dedicate myself as long as I know that it's a level or two that I have to get done. Also, if I picked CS or Graphic Design, will my exam be different?

Again thank you for answering, I'm honored to be receiving feedback from a successful MEXT applicant.

There are many universities with the CS courses . Research on universities you wish to enroll in, most have divisions and lab names which seems not related to computer science but if you check deep the research are majorly in fields related to Computers .. I am a MEXT student presently doing my research on Computer Vision but my department is Mechanical ..
You need to find good supervisor and a lab of your interest .

For the Japanese level , considering your time limit , I dont think you can do much in such short time , but start learning the basic hiragana and katakana and few kanjis. I would recommend studying "Minna no Nihongo I" book and study the first 10 chapters .. that would be enough. Once you enroll they will teach the same book so will be good start. Keep practicing simple survival japanese from the internet.

For the exam , for Undergrad , exams are all the same , they wont ask you hard programming or graphics algorithms .. Nothing , it will be a simple Math and basic science test .. and in the interview , they will ask you about your interest area , and why you chose to take that subject .

 

[thepie]

First off thanks for the reply. I'm applying for the undergrad course, and just to be clear I didn't choose humanities and social science, I simply wrote under my first choice graphic design and third choice was computer science. I guess it's a relief to know that there are CS MEXT students, from what you're saying, I'm safe then?

About the exam, to clear it up, I wanted to know how much I have to study for in Japanese? like in JLPT level? I have about a month and I'm ready to dedicate myself as long as I know that it's a level or two that I have to get done. Also, if I picked CS or Graphic Design, will my exam be different?

Again thank you for answering, I'm honored to be receiving feedback from a successful MEXT applicant.

My MEXT undergrad friends all took exams in English and had interviews in English, except those in Humanity/Literature fields (obviously they should have sufficient proficiency). You'll have to sit through Physics/Maths/Chemistry exams also, but for sure you should check the official website *ドメインパーキング
Previous years' questions can be found here: ドメインパーキング

You'll have one year as Language Training Student, either in Osaka or Tokyo Foreign Language University to study Japanese AND prepare for the university entrance exam. You'll reach about level 2 after one year so don't worry, many of my friends spoke no Japanese when they arrived in Japan. However, you'll have to compete with other students from other countries to get into good universities here, but I think that's still a long way to go.

@ankitravankar: I think your answer is more related to grad students. Undergrads in Japan don't enter laboratory until fourth year, and some universities allow students to choose major after one year of studying fundamental courses.

 

[Lariemeeva]

Thanks for clearing it up for the both of you.
@ankitravankar: I already know all hiragana and katakana, luckily I'll have the time to improve my vocab and work on
@thepie: I've checked the information on the official website and it says we have to sit for Math, English and Japanese if were undergraduates. It also says that only 468 applicants from around the world can make it, it feels like a slim chance for me T___T Anyways, if I picked CS or Graphic design do I fall under humanities?

 

[thepie]

I just asked my friend about the Japanese test, and told me that there was indeed a Japanese section. However he skipped it as did most of his friends (he's a natural science student though). CS belongs to natural science A so you'll have to take physics, chem, and math. From what you're describing I wonder if you're applying to the humanities and social sciences instead? If so, the Japanese requirement is probably different, but as far as I know, it's not the deciding factor at all. I think you should prepare more for the written tests.

 

[Lariemeeva]

I just asked my friend about the Japanese test, and told me that there was indeed a Japanese section. However he skipped it as did most of his friends (he's a natural science student though). CS belongs to natural science A so you'll have to take physics, chem, and math. From what you're describing I wonder if you're applying to the humanities and social sciences instead? If so, the Japanese requirement is probably different, but as far as I know, it's not the deciding factor at all. I think you should prepare more for the written tests.

O.O All three sciences?!! Mygod. Just to be clear I have no idea which section I applied to cause like I previously mentioned that all my choices didn't seem available. To be very clear here's what I wrote down exactly:
1st choice was Media Arts --> Game Design
2nd choice was Graphic Design
3rd choice was Computer science

I only kept talking about CS because I never thought they'd consider the previous choices, but now that you mention it. I'm freaking out. I dumped both my Chem and Phy on my last two years in school (IB) and only taken the three sciences in grades 9 & 10 (IGCSE). Can you please tell me
1- which section each major is under
2- and what exams I have to sit for each?
3- and how do I know my exam will be based on which choice (would they take into account my first and second?)

Again thanks for the help, but the more I know about this exam the more I freak out, I worked so hard for the past year learning all kana and the Japanese culture, it's my life time dream to study in Japan, I can't screw up because I didn't know enough T______T

 

[thepie]

I'm not sure if your first two choices fall under the category of humanities and social sciences though. I remember the guideline doesn't mention design, or I may just be mistaken. You should take a look at the guide at Government-sponsored for more details.
Also keep in mind that not only will you have to sit Chem and Physics exam for the embassy selection, but you'll also have to take more exams for the entrance exam after one year of Japanese studying. With one year of studying university-level courses for basic subjects, I don't think dumping them is good at all. Note that you'll have to maintain certain level of GPA, or your scholarship will be retracted.

 

[Lariemeeva]

A woman from the embassy just called me. She said that my choices (Game design, Graphic Design, Computer science) are under the IT section so she inquired about it and they said that I have to get tested in 5 subjects; Chemistry, Physics, Japanese, Maths and English. She also told me that since the program started no one from my country successfully made it to the undergraduate scholarship!!!! I mean it makes since the sample tests are a huge punch in the face for anyone who isn't a nerd in the sciences and maths, like it's made for geniuses only. That's kinda harsh and disappointing. I think it's all up to luck now, since the sciences have are usually multiple choice. I think most of those 80000 people funded by the program are research students or graduates.