MEXT Scholarship 2015 (Research Students)

[nekojita33]

Hi nekojita,
congrats on your results... can you please tell exactly what your country's embassy said and how many research students finally made it through....
once again congrats

Thank you !
To answer to your question, I do not know how many research students made it through, they did not share that kind of information.
Are you Canadian as well ?

The letter said :

We are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed the second stage of selection as one of the recipients of the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship for 2015 Research Student.

It is important to note, however, that this letter does not constitute a confirmation of your acceptance at the university of your choice. The passing of the second screening stage enables the Monbukagakusho to proceed to the next step, which is to contact the universities with which you have made arrangements for your Letters of Provisional Acceptance. The confirmation of your final selection for the award is subject to the Monbukagakusho being able to complete arrangements for your enrollment at an appropriate university in Japan. Please note that objections to the educational institution selected for you will neither be considered nor accepted.

As we will need to contact you as soon as further information is received from Japan, please be sure to inform us of any changes in contact information, including the mailing address. We trust that everything is to your satisfaction.

 

[BD2K15]

Thank you !
To answer to your question, I do not know how many research students made it through, they did not share that kind of information.
Are you Canadian as well ?

The letter said :

We are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed the second stage of selection as one of the recipients of the Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho: MEXT) Scholarship for 2015 Research Student.

It is important to note, however, that this letter does not constitute a confirmation of your acceptance at the university of your choice. The passing of the second screening stage enables the Monbukagakusho to proceed to the next step, which is to contact the universities with which you have made arrangements for your Letters of Provisional Acceptance. The confirmation of your final selection for the award is subject to the Monbukagakusho being able to complete arrangements for your enrollment at an appropriate university in Japan. Please note that objections to the educational institution selected for you will neither be considered nor accepted.

As we will need to contact you as soon as further information is received from Japan, please be sure to inform us of any changes in contact information, including the mailing address. We trust that everything is to your satisfaction.

Thanks nekojita....
I'm not Canadian...still waiting for the embassy, hope to meet you and everyone in Japan...

 

[melococ0]

Hi melococo I have also applied for Hokkaido....lets see what happens...really tensed...fingers crossed..hope we all get it

Hi BD2K15- I'm glad that I am not the only one that applied to Hokkaido Uni. yeiiii... ... we can met there!..
Congratulations to everyone that already recieved an email. Like some of you, this afternoon I received an email from my only prospect supervisor... In fact I only applied to one Lab... didn't know at the time I was able to present more than one LOA, but luckily everything was OK, and the mail said " ...Congratulations! You eventually pass the final examination by MEXT. I am now preparing to accept you as a research student for 6 months from next April....". For me, I guess, this is kind of confirmation, right?.
Hope everyone can get any kind of information. Good luck to those still waiting!!!!

 

[AmerikaJin5]

Congrats to everyone who got the good news!
To everyone still waiting...keep your chin up and good luck!

I just got the letter from the embassy !!! I passed the second screening as well ! YAY !!!
Thanks for your explanations Amerikajin5 !
I applied to Waseda, Keio and Tokyo Metropolitan University so although I might not get into the first two I'm confident I will be able to get into the third one as they seem so eager to get MEXT student when I applied for the LOA, it took not even a week for them to review my application and send me the LOA !
If any of you had to calculate the odds of us going to Japan next year at this point after passing the second screening what would you say our chances are ? 50 %, 75 %, 95 % ??
This is all so exciting ! But I must admit that I was stressed as hell when I opened the letter attachment when I got the email from the embassy... what if I didn't pass the second screening oh geez I'd rather not think about it !!!
I don't know for you guys but since I've applied to the MEXT although I've been somehow confident, it is so huge of a deal in my life right now (not easy to turn everything around at 35 !) that I've been telling myself to be careful and not to get ahead of things... so I always speak in terms of "IF I get to go to Japan I blah blah blah..."... you know I don't want to jinx the whole thing !
What are your thoughts on that if any ?
Is this a huge thing for you as well (from what I've read it is ), do you have plans B and C, etc.
Can't wait for January now !!!

I can't say I was explaining anything out of first-hand knowledge...this is all so new to me, but I'm glad my shot-in-the-dark was pretty close!

I think having TMU as your 3rd choice was a solid move -- no matter what happens with Waseda and Keio, you can get TMU and that's good. Plus, it never hurts to put the most competitive school first since you've got nothing to lose...it's only risky to put all three schools as expensive or competitive ones.
I put Tokyo University of Science (TUS) as my 1st choice because I've made such a great connection with a professor there (we email on almost weekly basis), but it is a private university so the fees are higher. I also made a great contact at Tokyo Tech (which is a top engineering school) so I put that as my 2nd choice. I met a professor from Saitama University at a conference -- he happens to be friends with the professor from TUS so he already knew I was applying there -- and he practically begged me to put SU as my 3rd choice. He's also very nice and we Skype occasionally. Tokyo Tech is a great school but I sincerely hope I get selected for TUS!!

I think we are probably 98% guaranteed at this point...especially for those who put an "attainable" university on their list. I am so excited and anxious for the final decision, it's hard to focus on finishing my masters degree. :nailbiting: I've been in love with Japan since I was about 11 yrs old so this is an amazing opportunity.
Like most of you (especially @nekojita33) I try to think in terms of IF I am accepted to Japan...hopefully I will see some people in Tokyo 11 months from now!
Just in case, I have also applied to University of Edinburgh (Scotland) and got accepted there...this is my Plan B. I will apply to the University of Colorado-Boulder since I have become close acquaintances with a professor there who is very nice and wants me in his lab very badly (he said I'll get full-ride scholarship there no problem)...so this is an easy Plan C.

Let's stay encouraged as we wait for January! Keeping each other company on this forum might help us stay sane...:woot:

 

[konhoshi]

I have only just graduated from my undergraduate course here in the UK, so this is really my only plan for the 'next step' in life, if I can say that! haha
I studied Japanese at that level, and so I really wished to continue doing a Masters in the country itself, it is really exciting!
I hope that everyone will get through and to the university they wished for! It will be great to continue sharing information ^^

I have a few friends at the University of Edinburgh, they all say it is a really fantastic place to study/live! However I do hope 'plan a' goes well! :woot:

 

[miles5]

I just got the letter from the embassy !!! I passed the second screening as well ! YAY !!!
Thanks for your explanations Amerikajin5 !
I applied to Waseda, Keio and Tokyo Metropolitan University so although I might not get into the first two I'm confident I will be able to get into the third one as they seem so eager to get MEXT student when I applied for the LOA, it took not even a week for them to review my application and send me the LOA !
If any of you had to calculate the odds of us going to Japan next year at this point after passing the second screening what would you say our chances are ? 50 %, 75 %, 95 % ??
This is all so exciting ! But I must admit that I was stressed as hell when I opened the letter attachment when I got the email from the embassy... what if I didn't pass the second screening oh geez I'd rather not think about it !!!
I don't know for you guys but since I've applied to the MEXT although I've been somehow confident, it is so huge of a deal in my life right now (not easy to turn everything around at 35 !) that I've been telling myself to be careful and not to get ahead of things... so I always speak in terms of "IF I get to go to Japan I blah blah blah..."... you know I don't want to jinx the whole thing !
What are your thoughts on that if any ?
Is this a huge thing for you as well (from what I've read it is ), do you have plans B and C, etc.
Can't wait for January now !!!

I say after this stage it's 75% or more.

 

[kurapan]

I have also received a mail from the local embassy saying that I have passed the second screening and that MEXT will begin with the placement process. Actually, everyone - which should be a number between 2 and 4 - recommended by the embassy in my country has got approved by MEXT.

I think I mentioned here, some time ago, that I was told by someone at the embassy that passing the first screening means that you're almost set to go if you get a LoA from a university in Japan. I was also told that MEXT contacts the universities in order of your preferences, which means that if they confirm that the university of your first choice is really willing to accept you, they place you there. If the university says 'no' in the end despite issuing the LoA for you, which might happen if MEXT requests placement of more students than they can actually accept, they contact the second university. But I guess they might need to do some calculations in case your first choice is a private university so that they don't exceed the budget. It sounds like a very rigid system, which makes me believe that it might work like that, because Japan.

Amerikajin: I think your speculation/theory about the process might be pretty close, but I don't think they ask them about the communication they have with you (at Todai Grad. S. of IST, you're not even required to contact the supervisor yourself; you're supposed to contact the office for international relations, though I did send a mail to my prospective supervisor first). As regards the question of whether they really want you or not, they should consider that before signing the LoA for you. It's even written on the LoA form that by issuing the LoA they express their will to accept the student should MEXT contact them. In other words, the lab / department / graduate school / university shouldn't issue LoAs for many more applicants than they could accept, in the first place.

Btw. speaking of University of Edinburgh, an old classmate of mine from high school went for undergrad there and she seemed to be very satisfied.

 

[nekojita33]

Hi BD2K15- I'm glad that I am not the only one that applied to Hokkaido Uni. yeiiii... ... we can met there!..
Congratulations to everyone that already recieved an email. Like some of you, this afternoon I received an email from my only prospect supervisor... In fact I only applied to one Lab... didn't know at the time I was able to present more than one LOA, but luckily everything was OK, and the mail said " ...Congratulations! You eventually pass the final examination by MEXT. I am now preparing to accept you as a research student for 6 months from next April....". For me, I guess, this is kind of confirmation, right?.
Hope everyone can get any kind of information. Good luck to those still waiting!!!!

Melococ0, I'm curious, why only six months ? Isn't it supposed to be either 18 months or two years ?

 

[nekojita33]

Congrats to everyone who got the good news!
To everyone still waiting...keep your chin up and good luck!



I can't say I was explaining anything out of first-hand knowledge...this is all so new to me, but I'm glad my shot-in-the-dark was pretty close!

I think having TMU as your 3rd choice was a solid move -- no matter what happens with Waseda and Keio, you can get TMU and that's good. Plus, it never hurts to put the most competitive school first since you've got nothing to lose...it's only risky to put all three schools as expensive or competitive ones.
I put Tokyo University of Science (TUS) as my 1st choice because I've made such a great connection with a professor there (we email on almost weekly basis), but it is a private university so the fees are higher. I also made a great contact at Tokyo Tech (which is a top engineering school) so I put that as my 2nd choice. I met a professor from Saitama University at a conference -- he happens to be friends with the professor from TUS so he already knew I was applying there -- and he practically begged me to put SU as my 3rd choice. He's also very nice and we Skype occasionally. Tokyo Tech is a great school but I sincerely hope I get selected for TUS!!

I think we are probably 98% guaranteed at this point...especially for those who put an "attainable" university on their list. I am so excited and anxious for the final decision, it's hard to focus on finishing my masters degree. :nailbiting: I've been in love with Japan since I was about 11 yrs old so this is an amazing opportunity.
Like most of you (especially @nekojita33) I try to think in terms of IF I am accepted to Japan...hopefully I will see some people in Tokyo 11 months from now!
Just in case, I have also applied to University of Edinburgh (Scotland) and got accepted there...this is my Plan B. I will apply to the University of Colorado-Boulder since I have become close acquaintances with a professor there who is very nice and wants me in his lab very badly (he said I'll get full-ride scholarship there no problem)...so this is an easy Plan C.

Let's stay encouraged as we wait for January! Keeping each other company on this forum might help us stay sane...:woot:

I hope you get into the university you want as well !
98 % !!! I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one thinking that we are that close to our dream ! I'm telling myself at this point that we're in at 99.9 % !
I soooooo get you when you say you're having a hard time focusing on your masters ! It's the same here ! I'm hoping to be done writing my thesis in at most a month but it's so hard to stay focus !
You seem to have great plans if this doesn't work, but I'm sure you won't need them.
Yep let's keep each other company and all of us ganbarou !!

 

[dmnte]

Has anyone from Australia received the second confirmation ? Im getting slightly nervous =/

 

[melococ0]

Melococ0, I'm curious, why only six months ? Isn't it supposed to be either 18 months or two years ?

Hi nekojita33. Six month only because the plan is to start the PhD program in Environmental Earth Science in october. I'm going to present myself to that program in august. Hopefully, everything is going to be ok.
Best wishes to all. BTW this is the second time I aspire to this scholarship, it was hard the first time because I didn't make it to the interview stage, but then I work really hard for this second chance, and every sacrifice I made was worth it!... Everybody, Don't lose your hope, if you are at this stage, then you have the scholarship, I can feel it!...

 

[AmerikaJin5]

Hi nekojita33. Six month only because the plan is to start the PhD program in Environmental Earth Science in october. I'm going to present myself to that program in august. Hopefully, everything is going to be ok.
Best wishes to all. BTW this is the second time I aspire to this scholarship, it was hard the first time because I didn't make it to the interview stage, but then I work really hard for this second chance, and every sacrifice I made was worth it!... Everybody, Don't lose your hope, if you are at this stage, then you have the scholarship, I can feel it!...

Hi melococ0, good luck on Hokudai (both MEXT now, and then PhD). That is such a beautiful location...I wish I could have found a professor there in my area of research!
I am hoping to be a research assistant at Rikadai for 6 months (starting Oct. 2015) and then transition to PhD program in April 2016. Have you been able to learn anything about the entrance exam or other details at Hokudai?

@dmnte: don't get nervous...stay positive and I hope you hear something soon!

 

[rider]

Has anyone from Australia received the second confirmation ? Im getting slightly nervous =/

That makes two of us...I don't know if anyone from Mexico has received something

 

[twonavels]

We got our results yesterday in the Philippines. I passed! I'm so happy.

Please, I need advice though! The Letter mentioned that we have to wait until February for final confirmation and that the scholarship may still be revoked if no Japanese universities can accommodate us. Are we really 98% sure of getting accepted? I'm torn because I have a job, and I want to take a break before starting the scholarship program. However, if final results come out in February, this might mean that I have to go through my job and then straight to Japan without any break.

So, I was wondering, do you think it's okay to tender my resignation from work in January (effective end of February), so I can have a one month break? Or is it too soon? I'm afraid I might jinx it! :nailbiting:

Congratulations to everyone who passed, and I hope we can all see this through!

 

[P Yk Chong]

We got our results yesterday in the Philippines. I passed! I'm so happy.

Please, I need advice though! The Letter mentioned that we have to wait until February for final confirmation and that the scholarship may still be revoked if no Japanese universities can accommodate us. Are we really 98% sure of getting accepted? I'm torn because I have a job, and I want to take a break before starting the scholarship program. However, if final results come out in February, this might mean that I have to go through my job and then straight to Japan without any break.

So, I was wondering, do you think it's okay to tender my resignation from work in January (effective end of February), so I can have a one month break? Or is it too soon? I'm afraid I might jinx it! :nailbiting:

Congratulations to everyone who passed, and I hope we can all see this through!

Congratulation to all the scholar in Philippines!
What i heard and searched, although most of the previous cases was assured that the recipient will get scholarship providing that recipient have fully supported by the Professor who give LOA (because Professor have to give reply to accept the student anyway), there might still have chance that someone may not able to get the scholarship at the final decision due to competition among others who also wish to enter the University.
Maybe you can have break, but I suggest that you can continue your job until the final decision is out. Final confirmation is much more important. =D
There is another indirect way to know your status regarding scholarship is that you may ask any of your professor whether they have receive notification from MEXT and whether they submitted the acceptance form for you. =) If your professor replied with that, I think definitely you gonna get it. Cheer.

(P/S: desperately waiting for the result, from both embassy and professor. I wish the outcome won't killing me somehow. gosh)

 

[opank90]

We got our results yesterday in the Philippines. I passed! I'm so happy.

Please, I need advice though! The Letter mentioned that we have to wait until February for final confirmation and that the scholarship may still be revoked if no Japanese universities can accommodate us. Are we really 98% sure of getting accepted? I'm torn because I have a job, and I want to take a break before starting the scholarship program. However, if final results come out in February, this might mean that I have to go through my job and then straight to Japan without any break.

So, I was wondering, do you think it's okay to tender my resignation from work in January (effective end of February), so I can have a one month break? Or is it too soon? I'm afraid I might jinx it! :nailbiting:

Congratulations to everyone who passed, and I hope we can all see this through!

Congratulations twonavels!!

I heard from my senpai who was accepted in 2013, almost all of those who passed Secondary Screening getting accepted in University of their first choice.
I believe that Uni would not issue LOA more than they can accept. So I think at this point our chance is more than 90%, but we cannot tell 100% because everything can happen before the final decision.

I also planning to take one month break before going to Japan, but will wait for the final decision before submitting my resignation letter. XD

 

[twonavels]

@ P Yk Chong and opank90, thank you!

I was actually surprised by how fast the results were released. Here, our deadline for the submission of LOAs to the embassy was Sept 30.

oh my. It's going to be a long 2.5 months for us waiting for February..

 

[P Yk Chong]

@ P Yk Chong and opank90, thank you!

I was actually surprised by how fast the results were released. Here, our deadline for the submission of LOAs to the embassy was Sept 30.

oh my. It's going to be a long 2.5 months for us waiting for February..

We all do the same. another phase of waiting....

 

[P Yk Chong]

Greeting from Malaysia (Yahoo~)
This morning @kokwai4869 had contacted the person in charge of monbusho scholarship in Japan embassy, and everyone in the lists were successfully passed the second screening in Tokyo Headquarter! Someone had also received the letter from embassy yesterday. So ya, Malaysia has just announced the tentative confirmation to all the applicant!

 

[AmerikaJin5]

Greeting from Malaysia (Yahoo~)
This morning @kokwai4869 had contacted the person in charge of monbusho scholarship in Japan embassy, and everyone in the lists were successfully passed the second screening in Tokyo Headquarter! Someone had also received the letter from embassy yesterday. So ya, Malaysia has just announced the tentative confirmation to all the applicant!

Congratulations!!

 

[BD2K15]

Hi everyone, First of all Congratulations to those who have passed the secondary screening, awesome news.
Guys, Is the declaration of result depending on the submission dates or country's embassy?? Do the embassy only contact those who have passed the screening...

 

[P Yk Chong]

Hi everyone, First of all Congratulations to those who have passed the secondary screening, awesome news.
Guys, Is the declaration of result depending on the submission dates or country's embassy?? Do the embassy only contact those who have passed the screening...

Hi, actually our embassy seems like did not contact all the successful recipients. But It is getting more and more people receive second screening notification via post. So i guess our country Japan embassy did not call or email (maybe later) to all of us.

 

[BD2K15]

Hi, actually our embassy seems like did not contact all the successful recipients. But It is getting more and more people receive second screening notification via post. So i guess our country Japan embassy did not call or email (maybe later) to all of us.

Thanks buddy and congrats
It helps a lot, can you please tell me when was the submission date for LOAs in your country

 

[P Yk Chong]

Thanks buddy and congrats
It helps a lot, can you please tell me when was the submission date for LOAs in your country

It was 30 September. I guess all the second screening result will be announced soon in these few weeks. Good luck!

 

[kurapan]

Hi everyone, First of all Congratulations to those who have passed the secondary screening, awesome news.
Guys, Is the declaration of result depending on the submission dates or country's embassy?? Do the embassy only contact those who have passed the screening...

I think that even though the submission dates for LoA differ from country to country, the date when the LoAs have to have arrived at MEXT is the same for all countries. Correct me if I'm wrong. I was told at first that I can submit my LoA by the end of September so I can take my time considering the preferences, but after getting the last LoA I was asked to submit it a bit earlier than September 30 because the LoAs had to be at MEXT by October 3.
It certainly is weird that some embassies contact the successful applicants now and some seem not to do the same. It might be different embassy procedures. I recall reading here in one of the threads on MEXT scholarship from previous years that someone was contacted first by the university in December and asked about their accommodation preferences while they still had no info about the outcome of the second screening.