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MEXT Scholarship 2015 (Research Students)

Hi all, I'm a student from Laos currently studying my final year (undergraduate) at the University of New South Wales, Sydney Austraila. I'm thinking of applying the MEXT research scholarship for this year. My prospected subject is the MBA at either Kyoto or Doshisha since the courses are taught wholly in English. My undergrad is Social Science and International Business Management. I won't be graduating till the end of this year but I'll apply ASAP hopefully somewhere next week (Mid April 2014). So l was just wondering if the marks of my undergrad years are significant for the scholarship since it would be impossible for me to acquire all my marks at the time of application. In addition, any tips or recommendations for getting the MEXT research scholarship?
 

It depends on the country.
For example, even though in the application it says "includes prospective graduates", in Mﾃｩxico you have to have your Graduate Certification at the time of submiting your papers to the embassy, a letter from the school saying you will graduate before April next year is not enough.
I know this because it happened to me and I had to wait for another year to be able to apply.

I would recommend tha you call the embassy at your country and ask about it.
 
Thanks so much EUS0J for making this thread! The information you gathered is really helpful

A Finnish Psych major doing his last year of Bachelors reporting in! I'm trying to apply straight to a masters program in Keio University. I have exchanged a few emails with a professor who is interested in taking me in his research group, so I guess this is a good start.

I actually hope that the MEXT application period starts as late as possible Wouldn't mind if the deadlines went to the end of May since I'm sweating my *** off to get my grades up as much as possible. I'm a little worried that I don't get them high enough in time but we'll see. My embassy actually told me that they don't have a minimum requirement for GPA in Finland, they want to look at the applicants from all perspectives. I do have a strong CV, research experience and a motivational letter. But still, in Japan GPA definitely matters and it won't hurt my application here either. It's really rare in Finland to apply to another masters after bachelors since everyone finishes their masters straight after bachelors in the same department, so I think I might have a good chance because my situation is a little unusual.

Still I'm wondering which one would be a better bet: the embassy recommendation or the university recommendation? Maybe the embassy one if my GPA isn't that strong? I suppose you cant apply to both of them..

I wish the best of luck to all applicants! Except the Finnish ones of course


Ing17, do you have the usually required two years of full-time work experience they usually require for MBA programs? You said youre doing your bachelors so just wondering. If not, are the universities ok with that? I actually wanted to do the MBA too (Kyoto, Waseda or Doshisha) but I decided to pursue a master's degree after all because I only have part-time work experience.
 
Agreed!
 
the recomendation letters has an specifical questions, so you have to wait until the application opens. In my case the Embassy in México wants the recomendation letter for the head of my university (UNAM) so it was impossible to got it, so i have to go to the head of my faculty and was hard too but i got it!. For sure since the application opens, do your best and try to get all documents, because time pass so fast, you have almost one month or less to subimt all your documents.
In my case (japanese studies) the exam and interview was at the same day, so i was so tired.
And this is nothing am so anxiusly. Is Apri, i have to wait until August, is much time LOL.
Good look everyone!
About how many people applied i really dont know it but one more time for japanese studies were 10 people, so i think for a research could be no more than 50. the main reason is because in Mexico, get the scholarships looks too hard, but really was easier than I think to pass the screen process.
The process was suposed to start in early January but not, was middle Feb and the dead line was the first march week. So you must have to call all days to the embassy or check the Facebook page.
 
Hi Makkun, unfortunately I don't any work experience. Do you personally think that this would affect my chance of getting scholarship. Is there a way where I can enroll directly in the MBA without any work experience should I contact them ASAP. Or you should I change my prospected Masters degree? Also since you changed your mind from the MBA what Masters are you applying?
 

Hi, I went and asked the embassy. Fortunately they said all I need was the letter from my University stating that I will graduate by the end of this year so hopefully that's all there is.
 
Hi All,

I have sent in my application form on last 3 days and safely received by the consulate last 2 days. Now just pray that I can get in to the first level screening. *Crossed fingers**.

Have heard that this year there are around 300++ applicants. Wish you all the best and this is the first try for me^^ (Malaysia)
 

Well basically, that probably won't hurt your MEXT-application, but because you'll have to pass the university's screening too it definitely might matter. I attended Doshisha's webinar and asked about this and they said that the requirement for work experience is not absolute, but they do want people with some proficiency and understanding of work life. After all, MBA is considered a "professional master's degree" meaning it's mainly for, well, professionals. So if it says in the application requirements (usually does) that the applicants are expected to have work experience, it means that the students are mostly working professionals.

I would contact the admission offices of the MBA courses you are thinking of and ask is the work experience necessary. Please let me know what you find out

I'm thinking of the graduate school of system design and management in Keio. It's a program that in some aspects reminds professional business programs. For one it's more research oriented.
 
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Hi All, I am Sanji from Indonesia

I am currently preparing for my MEXT aplication this year, going for the doctoral degree, I am a little bit confused on what to fill at this "Present status with the name of the university attending or employer" section, any suggestion into this?

I am also wondering about the recommendation letter from workplace/university, can we just ask our previous thesis supervisor or our workplace supervisor to fill the recommendation letter form? or it should be officially from workplace or university?
 
Hey everyone, another potentional MEXT scholarship grantee reporting in!
My name is Adam and in Slovakia they annualy offer only 2 places for MEXT scholarship ( someone discussed this matter previously on this thread). I listed through whole this discussion and it seems my course is a bit unique in a following way:
I am about to graduate as a pharmacist in May with my master degree and I´ll be applying as a research student in Sport medicine field which is a bit different from my major but corresponding with my research aim and diploma thesis ( Hepatotoxicity of Sport Supplements and Anabolics). Moreover, dunno why is it so with medicine in general but all medicine majors (including any interdisciplinary modifications) are taught in Japanese. I dont mind learning Japanese, on the contrary, I am more than willing. I am just a bit afraid that after taking that 6month language course it wont be enough for the research in Japanese. Anyone with similiar situation?
I have been contacting a looking for professor who could be my advisor since January and finally found something promissing, but I am a bit stuck - need to present research plan. Here comes my man question:
How specific do you describe your research plan? How deeply you describe research aims, methods and etc?
I know what I am interested in and what I want to do ( almost everything concerning my field ) but graduating as a pharmacist I dont have a wide view of all possibilities. Moreover, main reason for my application is that this field doesnt exist in my country and I am applying for student research position not for PhD (not yet).
 
youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii , the MEXT scholarship is launched in our country , Omedetou gozaimasu , please for all fellowship check the embassy of ur countries
 
Bas86 said:
youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii , the MEXT scholarship is launched in our country , Omedetou gozaimasu , please for all fellowship check the embassy of ur countries
Click to expand...

Have sent in mine last week. ^^ Nice to meet you and let's work hard for this scholarship. Wish the rest the best of luck and do share more in this forum^^
 

A slightly different research topic than what you graduated in shouldn't be a problem, heck I graduated in Computer Engineering and my research topic was in Theoretical Neuroscience.

For your Japanese problem, 6 months may indeed not be enough, taking the initiative to start learning Japanese now may help and since the entire process takes just under a year to finish, if you start now you'll in actuality have been learning Japanese for 18 months, which may put you in an ok position. Also the dedication to start learning Japanese on your own is looked at well by the interviewers and those reviewing your application.

For the research plan, it depends, for us we had 3 questions, current field of study, research theme and specific study plan. I wrote about half a page for each for a total of 1.5 pages. My friend wrote about 6 pages for a full on research proposal, we both were accepted so I don't think there needs to be a specific length. They are just looking for a clear goal, a clear plan for achieveing that goal, a legtimate and academically satisifying topic and real thought and sincerity into studying in Japan. Just write however much you feel you need to be able to properly convey all of that.
 
Hello again, sorry I kept away from this thread for a while I got a new job and moved to a different place so it's been crazy this past few days, any way, this next message is for Mexican people (There are a few of them around this thread): application procedures for the MEXT Scholarship will start at April 22nd. you can confirm this with a simple call or e-mail to the embassy, so a piece of advice, if you haven't done it yet, start filling out the forms, even if you don't know exactly what to put on them FILL THEM OUT, if you live in Mexico City it'll be easier for you to attend one of the preparations talk and SOLVE your doubts about the application, it would be good if you bring a copy of those forms to the prep - talk and write on them as they explain the sometimes confusing parts of the application, bring something to take notes on too (end of the message for my Mexican counterparts), actually I think that's a good advice to anyone who's country do this preparation talks, it would also be a good idea to pick up those forgotten English language books and do some self study, some Japanese learning wouldn't harm you and it would certainly come in handy one way or the other, get your recommendation letters, your graduate certificate and academic records, start preparing yourself be confident in what you know and humble enough to accept that if they don't give you the scholarship is no the end of the world you could try it again next year, or try a different approach (there are other ways to travel to japan I personally lived there for a few years through means different than this scholarship)in short, GET READY this is about to start (in Mexico at least) and DO YOUR BEST!
 
Hey everyone, the scholarship is finally open in Laos. Just wondering regarding the proposal there's the Field of study and research program plan attachment in the embassy's website. Is this attachment considered to be like the cover sheet for my proposal or should I write my whole proposal in this attachment without sending my own documents which is 3 pages. In addition, there's also the recommendation letter attachment in the website does it mean that I'm required to get it filled out. I apologize, I know this is just housekeeping issues but this is my first ever attempt on the MEXT.
 
Either way is fine, I personally wrote in the attachment to see the attached documents and attached my proposal, others I know wrote their entire proposal in the attachment.
Doesn't really matter, but if you have a separate proposal all ready to go, might as well save yourself the trouble and just attach it instead.
 
Concerning the application for MEXT scholarship 2015 , should I contact an university or a professor and fill it in the application ( Placement preform document ) or i should leave it blank ?

I have send more than email for professors but no reply till now , and I don't Know what I should mention in my email to professors , anyone can clear it for me?
 
Regarding the 'application attachment' document. There is one particular section where it says 'Enter the names of the universities in which you would like to enroll and state whether you have obtained Admission from them. If you have not gained admission, please explain the reasons in full. (No more than three universities.) Do not, enter the name of universities you have already been rejected . MEXT will request your admission only to the universities listed below.' Does this mean I have to contact the professors of my prospected universities or what? Thanks in advance
 

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think you have to contact the professors yet since MEXT will contact them for you. However, in my opinion I do not think it will look good if your reason for not gaining admission is simply because you haven't tried yet. So I think you should try contacting professors so you can at least put down that you are just waiting for a reply or something
 

I tried sending emails out as well, but I haven't got any replies. In my experience, emailing is a slow process with colleges. In the email, I'd just explain about the MEXT scholarship and just give an explanation of who I am, what I want to do, etc.
If you can though, you should give the universities a call.
And for your first question, I suggest calling your embassy/consulate and asking about that. Sorry.
 

If you look closely you should see in the guidelines or somewhere that that attachment document is not to be submitted until AFTER you pass the first selection. In terms of timeline, this is the official order of things:

1. Submit Documents (excluding Attachment and Acceptance Letter) to the Embassy
2. Documents pass First Part of First Selection
3. Get invited to take a language test and interview
4. Pass tests and interview to pass the First Selection (In general you only need to pass the english test but in some countries where english is common you may need a minimum japanese score, all test results are sent to universities you apply to as well for their consideration)
5. You are now given the proper documents to official ask for acceptance by professors and universities and are asked to do so before a deadline
6. Fill out your attachment form with your list of acceptances and hand it in before the deadline along with the letter of acceptance.
7. Wait to see if you pass the second selection
8. Recieve scholarship

While your officially supposed to wait until after the first selection, since the deadline they give you is not very long afterwards and sometimes falls right on major holidays in Japan, I highly suggest looking out and trying to get an unofficial understanding with your prospective advisors after being invited to the inteview so you can get the university approval process started right as you pass the first selection.


MEXT only contacts professors for you if your fail to get any to accept you, though having MEXT choose for you is just asking to fail the second selection. However you don't start officially looking for professors until you recieve the official documents from MEXT later on. Unofficially starting as soon as you can will save a lot of time and stress though since you don't need to rush against a deadline.
 
dear senpai

i would rather to thank you about these helpful information about the universities contact before or after the MEXT application , i will lookup for professors that meets my interest in my further study in japan and list them into my application.

best regards for you all
 
Did anyone had any issue with filling out the "placement preference form". I'm not quite sure I read on the website that every documents besides the medical one have to handed in for the first round. However, the placement preference form has that section I referred to earlier on contacting universities. I'm quite confused
 
Hey guys!

Two-time undergraduate applicant here, and I'm applying for the research scholarship this year.
I've just sent an email to a professor I'm interested in studying under in the fields of Computer Vision and Augmented Reality in Keio University, and i was wondering if anyone here has contacted any other universities' computer science departments?
 
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