MEXT Scholarship (Graduate Students) 2017

[indojindesu]

I think I just sent them the form or even I sent it to them with their school as #1. When I submitted to the embassy, however, I had re-arranged the order due to the fact that my LoAs had come in and things had changed.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest. The Embassy officials told us that the universities have no business looking at the placement form , because, ultimately the placement thing is done by the Japanese govt. But some do demand to see that form, so we were told to submit that form along with our LoA's later. (They did ask us to submit the form at the time of document screening but I think that was to see how serious we were and how much we knew about Japan/Japanese universities )

 

[Geminz]

Thanks for this info - it is helpful to know about the signature deadlines that run all month. I was on a small monthly stipend years ago when an undergrad in JP and would go to sign off on it every month. The office would actually text me something like: "奨学金が出ましたよ" and then there would be a stampede into the office of us students, haha.

I wonder about that first month though. MEXT outlines that we can't get it that month and thus should plan for ourselves - ie., save and bring money. From your calendar link it seems that the first month's amount (April on this calendar - which I assume would be the same if your first month there is October, which mine will be at Kobe) DOES come at the end of that month. Otherwise, it seems like the second month would be a special one with TWO deposits in one month.

Thanks a lot!

Well, we were only told to prepare expenses for the first month ourselves as the money will not come in till the end of the month (instead of unable to get it in the 1st month as you mentioned), unless something happen.

Unfortunately that "something" did happen to me. All of us new MEXT scholars in my uni ended up receiving first month stipend only in mid of May due perhaps to some administrative errors (they never really told us why). So the uni offered a temporary loan for those in need to survive until we receive the stipend. Anyway I think this should be an exceptional case.
In the end I received two separate deposits in May (for Apr and May respectively)

If everything runs smoothly, I think you'll receive yours in October. But if you can afford it, there's no harm to play safe and bring sufficient fund to survive for two months.

 

[hsark]

@hojoojoh yes I was also wondering about says you need $2000 money for the first month

bit worried about the LOA for my 2nd, 3rd choice as my proposal was based off the work of a professor at my first choice. anyone every been in this position with some advice lol

 

[bononogram]

@hojoojoh yes I was also wondering about says you need $2000 money for the first month

bit worried about the LOA for my 2nd, 3rd choice as my proposal was based off the work of a professor at my first choice. anyone every been in this position with some advice lol

Yes, I wrote my proposal around/about the project as if I would be working with my first choice professor. I sent it to other schools and they accepted me nonetheless.

I was sent to my first choice in the end - haha.

I can see how that might feel a bit awkward but they need those stamped originals - no changing the proposal now!

 

[madphysicist]

Got confirmation today and the embassy have been nice enough to send me my whole application already scanned.

Now reading my recommendation letters and one of my profs said I was "fluent in Japanese" hahahahaha maybe not. But it's nice to know my current supervisor actually likes me because I wasn't sure.

bit worried about the LOA for my 2nd, 3rd choice as my proposal was based off the work of a professor at my first choice. anyone every been in this position with some advice lol

I got around this by describing 2 projects in my plan but the third prof at Toudai never replied to me about possible projects. I'm wondering if it's worth trying to get a LoA from him or just not bother. Probably I won't bother.

P.S. for those applying to Kyoto here are the emails of the grad offices, took me a while to find:
Administration Office of Faculties — KYOTO UNIVERSITY

 

[hsark]

@hojoojoh thanks that makes sense as for a masters your proposal is often based on established research work as opposed to a PHD anyway i hope there no Egos lol .....@madphysicist lucky you got yours today I have to wait till next week for stamps I was hoping to get it sorted before the August holidays :/
btw it always weird reading your own recommendation

 

[Kamiyan]

well, today the embassy called me and passed the interview, now to get those LoAs, I hope I can meet you there next year

 

[mari30]

Hi everyone, I would like to ask which is the deadline to submit the "Letters of Acceptance" in your countries ?

In my country (Venezuela) the deadline is August 15th.

However, some universities (e.g. The University of Tokyo) usually issue "Letters of Acceptance" in September.

It would be useful to know the real deadline in which all the embassies should submit the documents to MEXT.

 

[madphysicist]

Hi everyone, I would like to ask which is the deadline to submit the "Letters of Acceptance" in your countries ?

In my country (Venezuela) the deadline is August 15th.

However, some universities (e.g. The University of Tokyo) usually issue "Letters of Acceptance" in September.

It would be useful to know the real deadline in which all the embassies should submit the documents to MEXT.

In the UK it is 26th September.

Are you sure it isn't 15th September...? Usually the universities will not issue the LoA that quickly.

But anyway if the embassy has given you a deadline they are not going to be flexible about it, so it doesn't matter to you when they have to submit the documents to MEXT.

Be aware you do not usually need a physical letter, any proof you have been accepted will do (scanned LoA sent by email for example).

 

[indojindesu]

Its 26th September in India as well.

 

[madphysicist]

I am actually more worried about getting the health form done in time - in the UK they only ask for it once you pass the interview but the deadline is tight... going to be paying a lot for private tests I guess : /

 

[minader]

@mari30, in my country the deadline is 12th September, 15th of August is the deadline for the Certificate of Health.

I have another question concerning the choice of universities. As suggested, I am now contacting professors and two of them already answered, however one of them told me that even though he would be available to be my advisor, he still does not recommend me to enroll in his university if I am planning on keep studying there after my research. That is because he belongs to Education Faculty 教育学部 and it would be better for me to do a master/doctoral course at a Letters Faculty. Indeed, my research is more about literature but I do not know why almost every professors specialized in my research topic belongs to Faculty of Education which does not make sense. Does it mean that I cannot keep on studying there after the research? There are some courses like Japanese literature and history but not much else... I guess I am required to study the same subject of my research, right?
Another question: if my advisor belongs to, let's say, Education Faculty but in the University there is also Faculty of Letters, after my research can I keep studying enrolling as a literature student?

 

[Lawrence1]

@mari30, in my country the deadline is 12th September, 15th of August is the deadline for the Certificate of Health.

I have another question concerning the choice of universities. As suggested, I am now contacting professors and two of them already answered, however one of them told me that even though he would be available to be my advisor, he still does not recommend me to enroll in his university if I am planning on keep studying there after my research. That is because he belongs to Education Faculty 教育学部 and it would be better for me to do a master/doctoral course at a Letters Faculty. Indeed, my research is more about literature but I do not know why almost every professors specialized in my research topic belongs to Faculty of Education which does not make sense. Does it mean that I cannot keep on studying there after the research? There are some courses like Japanese literature and history but not much else... I guess I am required to study the same subject of my research, right?
Another question: if my advisor belongs to, let's say, Education Faculty but in the University there is also Faculty of Letters, after my research can I keep studying enrolling as a literature student?

For this question it can be tough. I can only give you my opinion as an engineering student where interdisciplinary study is quite common. I would recommend trying to see if you can keep your research advisor for your field of your interest while pursuing the degree of your interest.(for example do research in education while pursue a degree in literature). Although this is really based if your graduate school will allow you to do that. Another option could be to see if your advisor works (preferably works closely) with another professor in your desired department and try to have him as your secondary advisor and try to pursue your degree in your desired department that way. If all else fails, I would not worry about it too much since you are general not locked out from applying to whatever major you want for your next degree. The only set back is they may reject you when you apply if they feel your previous degree was not close enough (so try to prove it to them in your essay) and/or they may request you take additional classes as prerequisites.

As an engineering student, I have seen electrical engineering students work in a mechanical engineering lab because the research was related. I have also seen students who majored in electrical engineering for their original degree study mechanical engineering for their graduate study because their research was related. However, things are quite relaxed in the United States when it comes to this sort of thing.

The best thing I could recommend is talk about this issue with your professor and people from your related departments to see what they think. They will probably have the better solution for this since they are probably more familiar with this situation at their university.

 

[lamka]

hi..japan embassy in malaysia already sent out email to those who did not pass...which is me included..congratulations to those who passed...

 

[fin]

Hi all,
My result has been announced.
Too bad I didn't pass the interview test

Wish you all the best for those who still waiting for the result.
I think I'm gonna go for university recommendation route.

 

[MHL]

hi..japan embassy in malaysia already sent out email to those who did not pass...which is me included..congratulations to those who passed...

Congratulations! Good luck in working out the next few procedures!

Just wondering did you apply for the ASCOJA as well? I was wondering if the entrance timing (from April to October ) need to be changed if we opt for the Japanese course.

 

[lamka]

Congratulations! Good luck in working out the next few procedures!

Just wondering did you apply for the ASCOJA as well? I was wondering if the entrance timing (from April to October ) need to be changed if we opt for the Japanese course.

nahh..i didnt pass...unfortunately..u didnt received any news yet?

 

[MHL]

nahh..i didnt pass...unfortunately..u didnt received any news yet?

Yes, I have received the email. Maybe I should email the embassy to ask about the entrance timing then.

 

[minader]

The best thing I could recommend is talk about this issue with your professor and people from your related departments to see what they think. They will probably have the better solution for this since they are probably more familiar with this situation at their university.

Lawrence1, thank you for you precious suggestions. With this particular professor, I was told that it is possible to keep studying after my reasearch, but since there is no Faculty of Letters it would not be the best choice for me. Then he also suggested me other universities haha, but judging from what he said, it is possible to do a master at a different Faculty from the one the advisor belongs. Anyway, he still told me that he can be my advisor.
Maybe I will also ask the embassy for more insights on this matter.

 

[Lawrence1]

Lawrence1, thank you for you precious suggestions. With this particular professor, I was told that it is possible to keep studying after my reasearch, but since there is no Faculty of Letters it would not be the best choice for me. Then he also suggested me other universities haha, but judging from what he said, it is possible to do a master at a different Faculty from the one the advisor belongs. Anyway, he still told me that he can be my advisor.
Maybe I will also ask the embassy for more insights on this matter.

well I recommend studying at the university or professor you want to study at the most. If this particular advisor is not your first choice, then don't worry about it too much ;-) (although do ask the embassy if you like)

If this is the professor that you want to study the most in but the university doesn't matter to you too much, then maybe consider his opinion about going to another university, since it sounds like he may know a professor there and you can still remain related to him. In my undergraduate university, my ph.d student mentor that I worked under had two advisors: one at the university we studied at and another advisor in a university in Canada that our professor worked very closely with. Perhaps this can be another option for you.

 

[minader]

well I recommend studying at the university or professor you want to study at the most. If this particular advisor is not your first choice, then don't worry about it too much ;-) (although do ask the embassy if you like)

If this is the professor that you want to study the most in but the university doesn't matter to you too much, then maybe consider his opinion about going to another university, since it sounds like he may know a professor there and you can still remain related to him. In my undergraduate university, my ph.d student mentor that I worked under had two advisors: one at the university we studied at and another advisor in a university in Canada that our professor worked very closely with. Perhaps this can be another option for you.

Yes, unfortunately he is one of my two first choices. Considering only the expertise of the professor, I would prioritize him alongside the other professor, but with this one there is the aforementioned problem concerning the graduate school (only Faculty of Education).
He suggested me other universities but I do not know if he knows any other possible advisors there, it seems he mentioned such universities only for the faculties (in fact they are all famous universities, namely Todai, Keio and Waseda and they have Letters Faculties for sure). I would ask explicitly if he knows any advisor but I do not want to be rude, this would my third e-mai (in both his replies, he wrote 取り急ぎ at the end, altough he has been kind and gave me many informations I am worried I might bother).
He also wrote in both his e-mails that he is holding an academic meeting taking place four times a year regarding my research topic and he asked me to go, so even if I go elsewhere I still might be able to get contact with him somehow but the problem is finding an another advisor in the universities he suggested, I checked but I had no luck. I am still waiting the reply from the other professor I am prioritizing and I think they are in contact since they both participate in this meeting, I hope he will answer eventually and give me positive news or I will be having troubles with all my first choices.

 

[Lawrence1]

Yes, unfortunately he is one of my two first choices. Considering only the expertise of the professor, I would prioritize him alongside the other professor, but with this one there is the aforementioned problem concerning the graduate school (only Faculty of Education).
He suggested me other universities but I do not know if he knows any other possible advisors there, it seems he mentioned such universities only for the faculties (in fact they are all famous universities, namely Todai, Keio and Waseda and they have Letters Faculties for sure). I would ask explicitly if he knows any advisor but I do not want to be rude, this would my third e-mai (in both his replies, he wrote 取り急ぎ at the end, altough he has been kind and gave me many informations I am worried I might bother).
He also wrote in both his e-mails that he is holding an academic meeting taking place four times a year regarding my research topic and he asked me to go, so even if I go elsewhere I still might be able to get contact with him somehow but the problem is finding an another advisor in the universities he suggested, I checked but I had no luck. I am still waiting the reply from the other professor I am prioritizing and I think they are in contact since they both participate in this meeting, I hope he will answer eventually and give me positive news or I will be having troubles with all my first choices.

well good luck!

 

[indojindesu]

I'm worried about getting the set of documents from the Embassy. Its been almost a week since they contacted us. Still haven't received the documents. (I submitted the other documents like Certificate of health and all on friday) I wanted to send my documents to the universities by next week. I hope I make it in time. :/

 

[indojindesu]

I am actually more worried about getting the health form done in time - in the UK they only ask for it once you pass the interview but the deadline is tight... going to be paying a lot for private tests I guess : /

Same in India. Those tests cost a lot.

 

[rss]

My consulate won't send me copies that I submitted, they say it's unreturnable.