Sorry for the late reply.
Thanks a lot for your help, dblbstrd!
There's one more questions that I would like to ask after reading some of the newer posts here.
I've got my Letter of Acceptance from a Private University. Is it possible that MEXT could possibly reassign me to another National University? What would happened to my current supervisor then? Will MEXT actually let us choose between Private and National University or once MEXT recommended, it is consider as final?
I am also worried of coping with the new language. It seems that everyone here has some form of basic knowledge in Japanese language but I have none. I wonder will I be able to cope with those advance students. Any advice on how to fully utilize the 6 month language programme and after that, where should I go to further polish up my Japanese language?
dblbstrd, are you currently studying in Japan?
P.S: I just call up the Japanese embassy in my country and they said that the result will be announce anytime now. I am keeping my fingers cross. Wishing everyone who are waiting for the results all the best!
Wenling I meant to answer you before and even typed up a reply but I guess I never clicked "submit" and got distracted or something.
I wouldn't worry *too much* about the public/private university thing. I believe they would generally first make an effort to arrange whatever your top choice is, and then go down the list if for some reason (budgetary, arranging with the school, or whatever else) they can't accommodate your first choice. Though according to the application guideline, you can't make any objection to what MEXT decides for your placement once it is announced, so at that point I guess you have to take it or leave it.
As for the Japanese language program, I've heard these language programs for MEXT grantees are VERY good at training students with little or no Japanese experience to at least a functional proficiency.
I was at intermediate Japanese level and really progressing, a couple years ago when I did a 2-semester university exchange to Tokyo, but I've lost a bit of it since I came back to the US. I can still carry on a conversation and read quite a bit I think, so hopefully these guys will really whip me into shape. I believe the school I'm going to also has some senmon-yougo (field-specific language) classes, so I really look forward to it if I can take those!
I'm not currently studying in Japan, but as mentioned earlier in this thread I was notified that I've been accepted for this year's scholarship term and I'm just waiting for further information and arrangements... hopefully they'll get back to me soon!
Maybe I'll see ya there some time!
db