MEXT Scholarship for Postgraduate 2010: General Discussions.

[ykk]

All of my choices are private universities. Why is that wrong?

 

[Coco68]

ykk, why it should be wrong?

 

[ykk]

I don't know.

Anyway I got "the call" today (actually it was an email), I'm out.
I can't explain my feelings right now, I want to jump under a train. I can't stop crying even though I'm @work and can't go to my house now.
I'm calling tomorrow the embassy to ask why I wasn't selected. Today I'm just too depressed.

 

[Coco68]

Sorry to hear that.
Please remember there are more important things in life though. Good luck with everything!

 

[thetrystero]

I don't know.

Anyway I got "the call" today (actually it was an email), I'm out.
I can't explain my feelings right now, I want to jump under a train. I can't stop crying even though I'm @work and can't go to my house now.
I'm calling tomorrow the embassy to ask why I wasn't selected. Today I'm just too depressed.

@ykk: what subject were you looking to study? is it directly related to your undergraduate major? based on my experiences, i gather that they are very strict in that regard. also, embassy recommendation isn't the only way to go, or even that Japan may be the best place for your next step in live (it may only appear so through the looking glass, but the reality may be quite different). I would take this more as an opportunity to pursue other avenues (such as university recommendation) or maybe even targeting another country. There are other options in Asia which come with as rich, if not a richer social and cultural history and technological advancements without some of the legacy baggage that comes with an ex-colonial imperialist that may prove to be a better fit for certain individuals. bear in mind that rejection by the embassy is in no way a reflection of your abilities or even, yes, a reflection of your suitability for study in Japan. the Embassy has a very rigid set of guidelines when it comes to the type of candidate they are looking for, which varies from country to country and which may not always seem logical. I conjecture that this is based more on the overall nature of that country's relationship with Japan, since the scholarship is very much about developing cross border ties. Hence, I will not be surprised if a lot of times the Embassy rejects very able candidates suited to living in Japan. I encourage you not to base your self-worth on the decisions of other people. The panel at the Embassy are just doing their jobs in accordance to a certain set of guidelines and if you don't fit the club, it means that there is a better and brighter future awaiting for you round the corner, even if you may not know it. So put your head up and keep walking, or you might miss that bigger plan!!

 

[thetrystero]

Reflections on the application process in Malaysia. (Obviously, these are my own opinions based on my experiences. Yours may differ.)

0. The English test is not the hard part. Deciphering the panel's psyche at the interview, much more difficult.
1. Make sure that your proposed research in directly related to your undergraduate degree.
2. Do not overdress for the interview. The panel dresses in business casual, so don't go in a suit.
3. Sleep well the night before.
4. Contact professors early, contact them often. You'll be at a much greater advantage if you have one (or more) verbal acceptances from professors by the time you go for the interview. Print the email stating the informal agreement and include it in your application.
5. The panel isn't looking for creativity or innovation per se, and surprisingly, ability for original research isn't the highest criteria. rather, you should be able to tell some intimate anecdote about your knowledge of Japan and to come up with a reasonably realistic scenario as to how you are going to improve the diplomatic/cultural/scientific relationship between Japan and Malaysia even if it may be a vacuous conjecture. Also, it helps if you are well localized i.e. fit the profile of a typical Malaysian (however that may be measured).
6. The rejection letter was decidedly curt, unforthcoming and I thought rather impersonal. This was, I thought, a rather poor reflection of the Embassy, and could potentially cause misunderstandings of the image of Japan for the uninitiated. Given the effort that most people put in to their applications, the letter could've been phrased better and perhaps with less hubris.

 

[Rica]

I got it!!!
Congratulations to the other successful applicants, and good luck for next year to the people who missed out.

 

[clockworkorange]

Reflections on the application process in Malaysia:

0. The English test is not the hard part. Deciphering the panel's psyche at the interview, much more difficult.
1. Make sure that your proposed research in directly related to your undergraduate degree.
2. Do not overdress for the interview. The panel dresses in business casual, so don't go in a suit.
3. Sleep well the night before.
4. Contact professors early, contact them often. You'll be at a much greater advantage if you have one (or more) verbal acceptances from professors by the time you go for the interview. Print the email stating the informal agreement and include it in your application.
5. The panel isn't looking for creativity or innovation per se, and surprisingly, ability for original research isn't the highest criteria. rather, you should be able to tell some intimate anecdote about your knowledge of Japan and to come up with a reasonably realistic scenario as to how you are going to improve the diplomatic/cultural/scientific relationship between Japan and Malaysia even if it may be a vacuous conjecture. Also, it helps if you are well localized i.e. fit the profile of a typical Malaysian (however that may be measured). Hence, if you went to international school, don't speak with a strong Malaysian accent, sound too world-wise etc. it does not help. Ironically, it is imperative that the Embassy present candidates typical of their country of domicile in the interest of cultural diversification.
6. The rejection letter was decidedly curt, unforthcoming and I thought rather impersonal. This was, I thought, a rather poor reflection of the Embassy, and could potentially cause misunderstandings of the image of Japan for the uninitiated. Given the effort that most people put in to their applications, the letter could've been phrased better and perhaps with less hubris.

I gather these reflections are based on your experience?

 

[clockworkorange]

Hi thetrystero,

I read your edited post. I commented on your post because my experience was slightly different and I wanted to confirm whether your reflections were based solely on your experiences or the experiences of a group of ppl - maybe this year's candidates?

At any rate, i do agree with some of the things you said - business casual for one and to a certain extent, the point about your research field having direct relevance with your undergraduate one. I've heard of ppl passing the interview by having a research proposal that is in a field different from their undergraduate ones so maybe in the end, decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

I don't agree so much with the "you should be able to tell some intimate anecdote about your knowledge of Japan" though. I didn't have to do this. Most of my questions were about my research.

I also don't know about the typical Malaysian thing as well. As you've rightly said, what's typically Malaysian anyway? But i guess you could be right that they might have certain set criteria that candidates must adhere too.

In the end, however, too much conjecture about how they decide doesn't help much. as you've mentioned, "deciphering the panel's psyche" is difficult.

At any rate, i wish you all the best in your future endeavours!!

 

[Rica]

1. Make sure that your proposed research in directly related to your undergraduate degree.
2. Do not overdress for the interview. The panel dresses in business casual, so don't go in a suit.
5. The panel isn't looking for creativity or innovation per se, and surprisingly, ability for original research isn't the highest criteria. rather, you should be able to tell some intimate anecdote about your knowledge of Japan

My experience was a little different -
1. My research is not related to my previous study except in methodology. However, I have been working in the field in which I would like to study for around 2 years.
2. I wore a suit, and I definitely subscribe to the view that being overdressed is better than underdressed. But I guess that's up to personal taste.
thetrystero, I hope you can keep a positive outlook, good luck in whatever you choose to do.

 

[menrui]

The judging panel dressed business casual because... well, they are the judging panel. As the person being interviewed, I wore a suit.

My interviewers also asked me questions about my interest and knowledge of Japan. I think it would be weird to give the scholarship to someone who has no interest in Japan right? I think one common question they ask is something like, 'how would you improve the relationship between Japan and America?'. I forgot what it was exactly.

 

[NeoXtremeX]

Hello Everybody,

Quick question. In your first email to potential research sponsors (the professors?) how do you address them. I mean, do you go straight to the point or do you first send a friendly email introducing yourself and saying Hi.

Thanks,

 

[Ajay]

Hello Everybody,
Quick question. In your first email to potential research sponsors (the professors?) how do you address them. I mean, do you go straight to the point or do you first send a friendly email introducing yourself and saying Hi.
Thanks,

I very good point Neo, however I dont think we have that kind of luxury. we are rather short on time. This can be a good strategy given the fact that you are in a university and applying next year, that is you are doing things in advance. I mostly get straight to the point, but then I havent got any positive or negative responses till now. May be this might be the reason, that is I am too straight to the point....

 

[dalmatian]

hi neoxtremex,

to me, my first email contents are something like this:
(1) introduction (name, last education)
(2) telling that I am applying for monbukagakusho, with proposed research topic .....
(3) would like to join because ... then asking the professor whether he is willing to become advisor.
and I enclosed my academic transcript, study field program (proposed research), and my CV (since I have been working for several years).


But I think other people probably have different experiences.

 

[NeoXtremeX]

I just sent my first and most important email to a professor.

I hope it goes well!

 

[ykk]

Thank you all for the replies, thetrystero, my field is graphic design and my project was about interface design.
On tuesday I called the embassy, they said I was out because of my grades @university.
I'm not brillant, I know, 6.16/10 isn't great but I managed to end in 3 years what everybody takes at least 5!!! I finished university at the age of 23, which means I'm a very responsible person and commited to my goals. Or at least that is what I tought I was.
Anyway, They said "best luck next year" and "Try a different research project" (And pray all the people that show up that day are even worse than you)

Ganbatte 4 all of you!!!

 

[NeoXtremeX]

Nevermind. I still have to get the certificate from tokyo embassy.

 

[arap]

@ykk
I'm sorry to hear that, they decided you're out because the grade@university ? I just can't agree with this because I don't have any awesome grade myself, I decided to apply for this scholarship by depending on my research proposal. Well anyway what I am saying now maybe won't make any differences to you but I just wish you the best for all of your future effort. Thank you so much for sharing your story in this thread

@all
I'm in the process of acquiring my LoA, but one Professor suggest that I need to send him the original document, including my app. form, passing certificate, and LoA.
Aside from app. form and LoA, I do have problem sending original passing certificate. Well rather than problem is more like I'm afraid to send the original passing certificate to Japan because if anything happen then I don't have any back-up for my original document. The other two universities that I applied only asked me the copy one.

I just want to ask:
is it common to send the original document for the LoA process ?
I plan on replying to my Professor to ask whether I'm allowed to send the copy but I'm afraid it is impolite so I want to do a little survey before that

 

[akaitsume1]

>Neoxtremex: I personally made sure to contact the prof with a friendly email before I asked them to be my advisor (because personally, if I were a prof, I'd be a little uncertain about accepting a student I've had no contact with), but with time being so short, I'm sure a to-the-point email wouldn't be amiss. Who knows, some profs might prefer that.

However, do make sure to include how you found them, and mention something about their research so that you don't look like you chose them arbitrarily.

>ykk: I'm so sorry. I've been rooting for you this entire time (even when I was just lurking in the thread). I really, truly hope that something else works out for you! If you have the focus and determination to pull off a 5-year program in 3, I doubt this setback can hold you down for long. 応援しているよ！頑張ってください！

 

[dalmatian]

hi arap, one of my professor also asks the original one. I think it depends on the Graduate school requirement at the University. Some of them need the original documents, some of them even accept PDF files.

 

[NeoXtremeX]

OK, finally I can say it with certainty.

I got the embassy recomendation! I want to thank all of you for your substantial support and help.

To the people that were not selected this year, I hope that you apply again next year so that we can all meet in Japan someday.

I'm so excite (borat style)

 

[Rica]

Congrats, NeoXtremeX.
Verry niice!

 

[arap]

@dalmatian
Thanks for the confirmation but did you really send the original document to Japan, for example the original passing certificate ?

 

[dalmatian]

hi arap, yes I did. I sent the original passing certificate and the set of application documents which are given back from embassy to me.

Now, I only hope that the other university doesn't ask for the original. My other potential advisor is still out of the town, but I already told him I only sent the copy.

 

[NeoXtremeX]

An open letter

Hello,

I was wondering if i could get some opinions on the first letter i sent to a professor. I haven't gotten a reply yet.

Greetings Prof. Kimura,

I hope you are having a pleasant summer.

My name is Rodney Dangerfield. I currently hold a Bachelor's of Arts in Economics from Eckerd College, a small liberal arts college in St Petersburg, Fl. I graduated as an
international student from Dominican Republic. This is because, in the increasingly
diversified world we live in, an international education in the field of Economics has
become a great asset for those who are looking to help with development of small nations.

Having completed my undergraduate studies, I am currently in the process of applying for
the MEXT: Monbukagakusho Scholarship for Research Students. Recently, I have been doing
some personal reseach on who would be willing to supervise my research work.

After long months of doing some preliminary research, I strongly believe that, with you,
I have found a great potential supervisor. Having read your Curriculum Vitae and your
substantial research in the areas of International Economics and Economic Development, I
compelled to ask for the opportunity to carry out research under your supervision. More
especifically, your co-authored paper, titled:

?The Economic Analysis of International Production/Distribution Networks in East Asia and
Latin America: The Implication of Regional Trade Arrangements?

Throughly covers my current research interests. Furthermore, as I was also an Interionatl
Student, I believe your experience as an international student at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison would aid me substantially throughout my research.

I realize this email comes at a sudden at perhaps inconvenient time. I apologize for
this. However, finding a professor that shares my passion for International Economics and
Economic Devopment has been a daunting task.

Furthermore, I acknowledge that, in order to keep things brief, I have not said much
about myself, or the nature of my current research. Therefore, I have attrached a copy of
my resume and a short summary on my present field of study. Furthermore, I have attached a Letter of Recommendation from a recent surpervisor. If you desire any more information from me, please do not hesitate and ask for it.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Reiterating the utmost respect and consideration,

Rodney Dangerfield

What do you guys think? PS: Thats not my real name.