MEXT Scholarship 2016 (Research)

[bononogram]

It varies from consulate to consulate from what I understand, but my application materials are all due June 17th. The interview/exam happens on July 8th. They only announced these dates in the last week or two, so yours will probably be up soon. The materials are all up, too, and updated for the 2016 scholarship. (If you wanna check out what my consulate put up, it's located here: Consulate-General of Japan in Houston English Culture and Education )



Yeah, I'll have to give them a call probably. I think maybe a lot of people hand in their materials in-person, so it's not much of an issue... But I'm 4ish hours away and I'd rather mail everything in. I'll update if I get more info.

Good luck to us non-sciences! Haha!

Don't be cheap - spring for registered mail ! Then someone has to sign for it, ensuring that they accept it as the appropriate recipient. Thanks for the info, I'll compare your 2016 forms with the 2015 ones we are left with up here... Hoping not too much changes so I can copy over the info I've been sketching in as a rough draft.

Got your doctor's appointment?

 

[foxfault]

Got your doctor's appointment?

Yep, scheduled for next week. I was really hoping I could put it off until after the interview, but the Houston consulate doesn't say anything about deferring it, so I'm going ahead. I also have to get an optometrist appointment, because I wear glasses and the medical form asks for an updated prescription. This process is making me proactive about my health, ha!

 

[foxfault]

I have an interesting problem:

The school I want to attend has its own scholarship program that pays more than MEXT. It's impossible to apply for both (the dates don't line up; I'd find out about MEXT before I even got to apply for the school scholarship). However, it would be possible to apply for the school first and then try to do a university recommendation for MEXT at the same time I'm applying for the school scholarship.

Has anyone given any thought to doing a university recommendation rather than the research student application? I wonder if there's pros and cons to doing either? I'm wondering if maybe there are better odds or if it's easier to go the research student route?

 

[Frida]

I have heard many people say that the chabces of getting MEXT through university recomentation are a lot higher and the application is a lot less stressful.

If I had that option I would certainly skip Embassy and do it directly through the Uni.

 

[foxfault]

I have heard many people say that the chabces of getting MEXT through university recomentation are a lot higher and the application is a lot less stressful.

If I had that option I would certainly skip Embassy and do it directly through the Uni.

I suppose the tricky part of the university recommendation is getting accepted into the school, and then convincing them to recommend you for the scholarship... If you can manage those two things, the applying process is probably much easier!

 

[tolly]

Hello everyone!
It's my first time posting here, though I've been lurking around for a long time hehe
Anyway, I'm planning to apply this year (research scholarship) if I can, since I'm still wating for the documents I need from my current university and probably I won't get my diploma in time for the deadline. Though the embassy said it was ok to just submit a paper from my uni saying I've successufully graduated.
Anyway, I've seen that there is another person here trying to get this scholarship with a Psychology major. We are on the same boat. It's kinda diffcult in my area of interest and experience, I've found laboratories with similar interests to mine but not many where I'll specifically get a pdh in psychology, just many that accept people with a psychology major.
Anyway, anyone else is worried about the English test? It depends on the year, how difficult it becomes for me. Especially part III. I found the exam from 2010 to be the easiest one, I got full points on that one. As for the others I got 80-90 once I got the hang of it and depeding on the test (you really have to pay attention, if you just go around skimming the text you'll probably miss where the mistakes are). Even so, I find it embarrassing, it doesn't seem that difficult but I find some phrases kinda weird, like that's not the best way to say that.

By the way, foxfault, you should be careful, I'm not sure if you can apply for another scholarship (I mean, I don't know if MEXT allows it). As for university recommendation, I guess there is no problem, it's the same scholarship, just another way to get it.

 

[Dangosan]

Hello everyone!

How's everyone doing? MEXT scholarship's application is almost open (or already have opened for some of you), and I'm getting nervous as a day goes by. How is your research plan? Are you guys finalizing your 'ticket' to Japan? In my case, I am far from over haha...:dead:
Anyway, I just wanted to check in with you guys and wish you all the best!

 

[tost]

Hi all!

Deadline is getting closer and closer by the day. Hope everyone's application is going well! For MEXT University and Embassy scholarship, I think I have read on this forum, somewhere, that you can't be applying for both. But I can't be sure. The time period, however, differs anyhow, so I think it would be possible that, in the case that the embassy recommendation doesn't work out, you can try again with University Recommendation. But I can't remember exactly.

 

[Yukkei]

Has anyone given any thought to doing a university recommendation rather than the research student application? I wonder if there's pros and cons to doing either? I'm wondering if maybe there are better odds or if it's easier to go the research student route?

¡Hi! I'm currently appying for MEXT through university recommendation. I seems like is easier to be awarded with MEXT scholarship in this way but the University should nominate you and present your case to the Ministry. In my case I'm already nominated to MEXT scholarship I only have to waid until the results come out.
The bad side of this is that you have to apply for the university, as I did, and pay all the taxes to send documents (It was expensive...), then you have to pass a interview with a professor. The tricky part is that University wants students who either they got or not a scholarship will go to study there, they ask about this a lot... So I don't know if they would reject an applicant if he or she answer the contrary.
Also I have a friend who got the MEXT scholarship when he was already in Japan, he said that this way is the easiest.... But who knows (??)

 

[tolly]

Hi all!

Deadline is getting closer and closer by the day. Hope everyone's application is going well! For MEXT University and Embassy scholarship, I think I have read on this forum, somewhere, that you can't be applying for both. But I can't be sure. The time period, however, differs anyhow, so I think it would be possible that, in the case that the embassy recommendation doesn't work out, you can try again with University Recommendation. But I can't remember exactly.

I know of someone who applied through uni recommendation after being rejected at the embassy so I think he applied around september. And at least in my country, we get to know if we passed the first screening (the embassy one) around August (so the dates differ).

 

[foxfault]

The tricky part is that University wants students who either they got or not a scholarship will go to study there, they ask about this a lot... So I don't know if they would reject an applicant if he or she answer the contrary.

Oh, I see. That makes sense. They don't want to accept me only for me to not come because of money. The truth is that I couldn't move to Japan without a scholarship, though. That's tricky. Hmm...

Thanks everyone for your insight! I'm going to think on it a little bit more and decide this week. I already have my Research Proposal written and my recommendations secured, so I could easily go forward with the consulate recommendation still.

 

[Frida]

Application is now open in Mexico!!
So nervous!!!

 

[foxfault]

Application is now open in Mexico!!
So nervous!!!

Good luck to you!!!

 

[J.K.]

Hi, I am a applicant from Malaysia. I just pass the screening and got the email to sit for the exam, anyone else got the email too?

 

[shinon]

Hi, I am a applicant from Malaysia. I just pass the screening and got the email to sit for the exam, anyone else got the email too?

I received the email too. Do you have any idea how to prepare for the exam? I've been doing the past year papers but since they only have up to 2010 or something, I'm not really sure if the format is gonna be the same. I hope it doesn't change much.
Anyway, お互いに頑張りましょう！

 

[shinon]

Are you guys looking for April or October departure? Which discipline/schools/degrees in mind? Share any info

Hi there.
I'll be graduating in early February next year so I'm thinking of April departure.
Sociolinguistics/Waseda University/MA in International Culture and Communication Studies (Language and Communication).

 

[J.K.]

I received the email too. Do you have any idea how to prepare for the exam? I've been doing the past year papers but since they only have up to 2010 or something, I'm not really sure if the format is gonna be the same. I hope it doesn't change much.
Anyway, お互いに頑張りましょう！

I have totally no idea how to prepare the exam, I even dunno where to download the past year papers,ha.
I am more worried about the Japanese test, because I think I just have about N5 or N4 level...though my degree does not need much Japanese requirement.

 

[DATCAT]

Application is now open in Mexico!!
So nervous!!!

Same in Chile :woot: !
Buena Suerte

 

[Hamza]

Hello everyone! this is really a precious thread.
I have a question:
Did someone applied for a marketing MBA in Japan? and which universities can I apply for?

Thank you and hopefully to learn from you

 

[JYTan]

Hi, I am a applicant from Malaysia. I just pass the screening and got the email to sit for the exam, anyone else got the email too?

I received the email too. Do you have any idea how to prepare for the exam? I've been doing the past year papers but since they only have up to 2010 or something, I'm not really sure if the format is gonna be the same. I hope it doesn't change much.
Anyway, お互いに頑張りましょう！

Wow! Congratulations to both of you! I am from Malaysia too but I didn't receive any email at all, guess I did not make it pass the screening after all... *sob* *sob*

Oh well, going to try again next year then! Good luck to both of you!

 

[pilotaaron]

Does anyone have any ideas about whether there are any benefits to starting as a researcher vs. a Phd student in terms of applying? In other words, if my ultimate goal is to obtain a doctorate, is it any easier to accepted as a researcher first and then switch at some point in the future? Also, if one is accepted as a researcher, does the 18 or 24 month term need to be completed in full before moving on to a Doctorate course or can it be done sooner? Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[Frida]

Does anyone have any ideas about whether there are any benefits to starting as a researcher vs. a Phd student in terms of applying? In other words, if my ultimate goal is to obtain a doctorate, is it any easier to accepted as a researcher first and then switch at some point in the future? Also, if one is accepted as a researcher, does the 18 or 24 month term need to be completed in full before moving on to a Doctorate course or can it be done sooner? Thanks in advance for any responses.

As is my understanding, unless you go ahead and take the entrance exam for the PhD at the university and receive a letter saying you have been admitted to the PhD before you submit any papers at the embassy, then you have to apply as a research student and wait until the University opens applications for the PhD.

Usually, Unis have a September and February examinations dates to start either in October or April. You can take the entrance examination as soon as 6 months after arriving as a research student or 18 months later.

 

[pilotaaron]

As is my understanding, unless you go ahead and take the entrance exam for the PhD at the university and receive a letter saying you have been admitted to the PhD before you submit any papers at the embassy, then you have to apply as a research student and wait until the University opens applications for the PhD.

Usually, Unis have a September and February examinations dates to start either in October or April. You can take the entrance examination as soon as 6 months after arriving as a research student or 18 months later.

Thanks, that was helpful. I guess I'm just wondering if it makes a difference one way or another in the professor's mind whether I present myself as a PhD candidate vs a research student who would like to eventually pursue a PhD. I'm on a restricted timeline and so while I would like to start with my PhD immediately (I understand that I would still apply as a research student), I'm wondering if it would make it more difficult for the professor to accept me for whatever reason. Perhaps there might be more room in that his/her particular lab for more researchers vs PhD candidates? I don't know...

On a separate note, the application instructions mentions that we are only required to send in a graduate certificate and transcript of the last university attended. Since I obtained a Masters, is it safe to assume that I don't need to include my undergrad diploma/transcript. Or, even if that is the case, would it be better to? Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[tost]

I think it is pretty common within the labs that most PhD students start as research students, at least for MEXT scholars anyway. I would think that the professors would assume that much, and that most will progress towards a PhD degree.

And I interpreted it as such too. Only needing the transcripts and degree from the last university attended, and not all.

 

[shinon]

I have totally no idea how to prepare the exam, I even dunno where to download the past year papers,ha.
I am more worried about the Japanese test, because I think I just have about N5 or N4 level...though my degree does not need much Japanese requirement.

Here's the link where you can find the past years question papers.
Qualifying Examinations for Applicants for Japanese Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarships - Examination Questions

I think you don't have to worry much about the Japanese test because it's not a requirement (although some people say that scoring well in that test might give you more advantage compared to those who don't).

All the best!