MEXT Scholarship (Graduate Students) 2017

[kobayakawa]

Hey guys, additional information.

This year, there were 24 grantees of research/graduate scholarship in the Philippines. 21 are from the natural sciences and engineering, 3 from the social sciences. I think MEXT has preferential treatment for the STEM track as well as disaster resilience research.

 

[DezireeAngel]

Haha! That may probably work out. Will do!
By the way, I checked the previous press releases of the embassy re dispatch of research students and these are the figures:

2012: 29 (April departure); 20 (October departure. Includes univ recommended grantees)
2013: 25; 18
2014: 28; no info
2015: 24; 22
2016: 22

Seems like they give no less than 20 slots for the Philippines under the research category. I hope they won't cut the number of slots by half this 2017.



I hope the Japanese members of the panel would see that way. They were the ones who actually expressed concerns over that detail. This is because I heard there are a number of grantees in my country who fail to earn their degree within the time period.

I applied thru University Recommendation. And I hope it would turn out the way I expected it to be. Huhu. Last year, it was July 10 when they released the list of successful applicants. It seemed like # of slots for successful U.R. applicants is less than the # of slots for embassy applicants. Wew

 

[Frida]

Yesterday I was notified by the Japanese embassy in Mexico that I have passed the
interview and, therefore, the preliminary selection. I still have to get the medical check up done, but I can't supress the happiness I feel. This is the 3rd year that I apply and was never even called for the language tests, I had decided this would be the last try.

Now I'm so nervious with all that's to come.
I am a little worried about contacting the universities though. The embassy here in Mexico told us to complete the research proposal and program of studies based on the #1 university we want to study at, and I did like they said. But now... I don't know how the other two universities will take it when they read/see it >___<

 

[zobel]

Yesterday I was notified by the Japanese embassy in Mexico that I have passed the
interview and, therefore, the preliminary selection. I still have to get the medical check up done, but I can't supress the happiness I feel. This is the 3rd year that I apply and was never even called for the language tests, I had decided this would be the last try.

Now I'm so nervious with all that's to come.
I am a little worried about contacting the universities though. The embassy here in Mexico told us to complete the research proposal and program of studies based on the #1 university we want to study at, and I did like they said. But now... I don't know how the other two universities will take it when they read/see it >___<

woow Frida I'm so happy for You!! Congrats.. Yeah, I noticed you were in the 2016 thread.. they have already finished the first selection in your country? Thats so fast!! At least, that give to the selected ones a lot of time to get the LoAs..

 

[kobayakawa]

I applied thru University Recommendation. And I hope it would turn out the way I expected it to be. Huhu. Last year, it was July 10 when they released the list of successful applicants. It seemed like # of slots for successful U.R. applicants is less than the # of slots for embassy applicants. Wew

I read from another thread that if the results are out on July, that means your program is Priority Program, ergo, 99.9% sure that you'll be granted MEXT scholarship. General Category application results are released on a different month.

Hoping for the best for all of us!

 

[kobayakawa]

Yesterday I was notified by the Japanese embassy in Mexico that I have passed the
interview and, therefore, the preliminary selection. I still have to get the medical check up done, but I can't supress the happiness I feel. This is the 3rd year that I apply and was never even called for the language tests, I had decided this would be the last try.

Now I'm so nervious with all that's to come.
I am a little worried about contacting the universities though. The embassy here in Mexico told us to complete the research proposal and program of studies based on the #1 university we want to study at, and I did like they said. But now... I don't know how the other two universities will take it when they read/see it >___<

Congratulations Frida! It doesn't matter how many times you tried, the important thing is you succeeded this time. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach failed twice in the Miss Universe Pageant until she succeeded in her third try!

I asked my sempai (2016 MEXT grantee) about securing a Letter of Acceptance for those who went through embassy recommendation. She said successful applicants in the embassy screening will only need to contact a professor from the university of choice and send the embassy certification if you're going to proceed as a kenkyuusei (research student) first. Otherwise, if you want to go directly as a MA or PhD student, you will have to provide the graduate school with all the credentials you submitted to the embassy.

 

[indojindesu]

Yesterday I was notified by the Japanese embassy in Mexico that I have passed the
interview and, therefore, the preliminary selection. I still have to get the medical check up done, but I can't supress the happiness I feel. This is the 3rd year that I apply and was never even called for the language tests, I had decided this would be the last try.

Now I'm so nervious with all that's to come.
I am a little worried about contacting the universities though. The embassy here in Mexico told us to complete the research proposal and program of studies based on the #1 university we want to study at, and I did like they said. But now... I don't know how the other two universities will take it when they read/see it >___<

Hey frida, I remember you from the 2016 thread too! (I was there as well lol) , Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you! Dont worry about the LOA's , you have plently of time!! Just convince a professor! This is my 3rd attempt as well, and I was called for interview and exams (they'll be held in July) Fingers crossed XD

 

[Tagy]

Hello Tagy,

I remember in the reading comprehension part, the two stories were about food waste in the UK and the study of self. The first story is very straight forward. No reading between the lines needed. The second story is more challenging because it can qualify as something written by Michel Foucault or Homi Bhabha or Judith Butler or Gayatri Spivak. In other words, you will read a paragraph that is only 1 sentence. Make sure to break down these kinds of sentences pretending to be paragraphs so that you can take out the main idea.

Good luck on your exam!

Thank you very much, this is really good for me
if any one else from other country get the same exam, comment plz

 

[DezireeAngel]

I read from another thread that if the results are out on July, that means your program is Priority Program, ergo, 99.9% sure that you'll be granted MEXT scholarship. General Category application results are released on a different month.

Hoping for the best for all of us!

Wow. 0.1% can seriously kill a dream if that's the case. Thanks for that info kobayakawa. Wew. Hoping for the best!

 

[madphysicist]

Yesterday I was notified by the Japanese embassy in Mexico that I have passed the
interview and, therefore, the preliminary selection. I still have to get the medical check up done, but I can't supress the happiness I feel. This is the 3rd year that I apply and was never even called for the language tests, I had decided this would be the last try.

Now I'm so nervious with all that's to come.
I am a little worried about contacting the universities though. The embassy here in Mexico told us to complete the research proposal and program of studies based on the #1 university we want to study at, and I did like they said. But now... I don't know how the other two universities will take it when they read/see it >___<

Congratulations! Persistence pays off.

Now you should start to find out how to apply for the letter of acceptance at these universities and make sure that you have all your documents ready so you have the highest chance.

She said successful applicants in the embassy screening will only need to contact a professor from the university of choice and send the embassy certification if you're going to proceed as a kenkyuusei (research student) first. Otherwise, if you want to go directly as a MA or PhD student, you will have to provide the graduate school with all the credentials you submitted to the embassy.

I am not sure about this info. Everything I have read so far indicates that you need to send all your embassy documentation to the university, not just the certification that you passed the primary selection.

I would suggest everyone should check carefully what the requirements are for their own individual courses and universities.

 

[DezireeAngel]

Congratulations! Persistence pays off.

Now you should start to find out how to apply for the letter of acceptance at these universities and make sure that you have all your documents ready so you have the highest chance.



I am not sure about this info. Everything I have read so far indicates that you need to send all your embassy documentation to the university, not just the certification that you passed the primary selection.

I would suggest everyone should check carefully what the requirements are for their own individual courses and universities.

Sempai
I actually have a question in mind that's actually not related to MEXT topic. I'd still want to hear from you though. My bf plans to work in Osaka, Japan to (if possible stay with me). Would it be easier to apply directly to companies? Thank you for your time.

 

[madphysicist]

Sempai
I actually have a question in mind that's actually not related to MEXT topic. I'd still want to hear from you though. My bf plans to work in Osaka, Japan to (if possible stay with me). Would it be easier to apply directly to companies? Thank you for your time.

I don't have any experience applying for jobs in Japan, sorry. Of course unless you decide to get married your partner needs to get a separate work visa which requires a company to sponsor him. If he can come to Japan first on a tourist visa he may have more luck. I have heard many companies will only consider hiring those who are already in Japan.

If you have more specific questions you should ask in the "working in Japan" section of the forum - there are people who know a lot more about this than I do.

 

[Frida]

Thank you all ñ___ñ

I'm having a meeting with the Embassy people today to check my papers before they send them to Japan. I already have the lab results and I will also visit the Embassy doctor today to get the medical part of the application filled in.

I will ask them today everything I can think of that might increase my chances of getting the LOAs

Good luck to all those waiting for results.

 

[zobel]

Yesterday I was notified by the Japanese embassy in Mexico that I have passed the
interview and, therefore, the preliminary selection. I still have to get the medical check up done, but I can't supress the happiness I feel. This is the 3rd year that I apply and was never even called for the language tests, I had decided this would be the last try.

Now I'm so nervious with all that's to come.
I am a little worried about contacting the universities though. The embassy here in Mexico told us to complete the research proposal and program of studies based on the #1 university we want to study at, and I did like they said. But now... I don't know how the other two universities will take it when they read/see it >___<

Was your interview in English or Spanish ?

 

[Frida]

Was your interview in English or Spanish ?

It was 60% in Spanish, 40% in English. I just answered one question in Japanes, and it was what it is about the Japanese culture that I like.

 

[kobayakawa]

Hello Deziree!

Sending you good vibes so that you'll receive the good news within the week or early next week! I have a friend who's also waiting for the results. He's recommended by the president of the national university in western Japan so I think it's almost a done deal for him.

 

[Fitanimal]

It looks like everyone in the U.S. got their results. I got the bad news. This is the second time I didn't get accepted. This is so depressing. I invested so much time, effort, and even money in making my application much better this time. I even wrote my proposal all in Japanese. Oh well, I guess I won't be going for a M.D.

 

[hxcpanda]

Sorry Fitanimal! That really sucks to hear. Which consulate did you apply through? I don't think the Boston results (for passing the interview) have been sent out yet. And I think when I was looking it up I saw that San Francisco's interview date hasn't even happened? I'm curious where you're getting the info that most people have found out.

 

[kobayakawa]

It looks like everyone in the U.S. got their results. I got the bad news. This is the second time I didn't get accepted. This is so depressing. I invested so much time, effort, and even money in making my application much better this time. I even wrote my proposal all in Japanese. Oh well, I guess I won't be going for a M.D.

Hello Fitanimal, sorry to hear about the sad news.

Would you like to try the university recommendation track? You might be able to find a professor who is aligned with your research interest. I have a friend who was denied by the embassy but was lucky to have found a professor from Handai who liked her research proposal. She's now in her second year in Japan as a MEXT Scholar.

 

[Fitanimal]



Sorry Fitanimal! That really sucks to hear. Which consulate did you apply through? I don't think the Boston results (for passing the interview) have been sent out yet. And I think when I was looking it up I saw that San Francisco's interview date hasn't even happened? I'm curious where you're getting the info that most people have found out.

My local consulate is actually San Francisco. I assumed all U.S. consulate had the same dates. The results were given just about the same time as last year's.

I haven't thought about trying University Recommendation. Maybe I will try.

 

[zobel]

It was 60% in Spanish, 40% in English. I just answered one question in Japanes, and it was what it is about the Japanese culture that I like.

Thank you !!

 

[bononogram]



My local consulate is actually San Francisco. I assumed all U.S. consulate had the same dates. The results were given just about the same time as last year's.

I haven't thought about trying University Recommendation. Maybe I will try.

Sorry you hear about your luck this time around.
Did you interview? Montreal just had their interviews ... Right before a long weekend here. I know you guys have a long weekend as well so I am curious about how you heard after interviews already.

Anyway, loads of people have success with university route after failing embassy route - in fact, most universities prefer that you try the embassy route before going forward through their offices. Now that you have tried embassy, they should be willing to help you as much as they can with university selection-route. Sounds complicated, I know ....

Check the past 'university route' threads! Good luck!

 

[DezireeAngel]

Hello Deziree!

Sending you good vibes so that you'll receive the good news within the week or early next week! I have a friend who's also waiting for the results. He's recommended by the president of the national university in western Japan so I think it's almost a done deal for him.

Hello there
It is really the president of the University that recommends the student to mext. Anyway, whoaaaaaa! Huhuhahahuhuhaha (monkey-laugh). This has been really nerve-racking for me. But thank you thank youuuuu! Hoping for the best!

 

[manu21]

Hi !
This is my first post, reading about Frida, congratulations!, I have just applied the past Thursday, and I'm taking the English and Japanese exam on Wednesday , for your experience, actually I don't know Japanese is it going to affect my application?
Secondly after the exams how much does take them to respond if you're going to the interview or not?

 

[Monemary]

Hi, guys!
This is my first post on this site. I decided to try to help those who haven't took the exams yet.
I'm from Russia and we have 2 embassies in Moscow and Vladivostok. But this year for the convinience of the participants tests and interviews were also held in Yekaterinburg city (central Russia). So basically there are 3 different groups of candidates for the same ~10 spots, concidering the fact that there were about 30-70 candidates in each city - it gets pretty tough, eh
In Moscow there were about 60 candidates, this number was cut down to 30 after the tests.
In Yekaterinburg there were 40 candidates cut down to 10.
Vladivostok (as far as I know) hasn't took the exams yet.
The tests in my city were on Saturday and we had an interview on Sunday, so it took them 1 day to check the papers.
Most part of those who made it through the tests in Yekaterinburg had N2-N1 levels. And with that, there also were 2 people with insuffitient Japanese: a girl with a research in Medicine, who knew only kanji and didn't even bother to try the grammar part and a guy with a research in Astronomy and Astrophysics, who had N5 level. Both of them passed the tests and were invited to the interview! So i guess the language profficiency is more of an advantage, and is not that much of a game changer in case they like your research.
They try to consider everything: the research plan you've prepared, tests results, the way you look, the way you talk and behave.
The tests were quite challenging, even the one in English was a bit more difficult comparing to the previous years. But if you have intermidiate or better level of English, you'll manage it. As it's been mentioned, the texts in the 5th part were about food waste in the UK and self-determination. So maybe you can try learning some lexis or reading similar texts in the internet.
Now the interview details.
It was held by the panel of three people. The questions were logical:
- Why are you interested in Japan?
- How can your research benefit Japan?
- Why do you want to do your research particularily in Japan?
- Have you ever been to Japan?
- Aren't you scared of living in a foreign country with different culture and traditions?
- Which Universities have you chosen and which professors do you want to work with?
- What are your plans for futute?
Well, basically that's it.
I hope this information was useful! Wish you tons of luck!:woot: