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Monbukagakusho Scholarship for Postgraduate!!

i'm sorry to hear that.
But the competition is really rough in the U.S.

Wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
 
thanks, yo. i remember sometime around when i joined this forum, someone in here was saying the competition in the u.s. is rough (maybe it was you, ooilingfan) but no bother. yeah i'll get there eventually. thanks for the encouragement; i really appreciate it.

oh yeah and my advisor sent me a link to study abroad programs that my university runs. i'm just going to go for them. a positive thing through all of this though is that i can at least graduate from my college i'm attending now. in the summer, right before school starts in october. so yeah, there's still other opportunities to study in japan.
 
I'm really sorry about the news, gakudan.

All the best for the future. at least now you know the results you can concentrate on something else.

The news dampened my spirits a bit. If i were really honest, i was expecting most of us here to get it. Just goes to show that you really shouldn't pin everything on this.

Still, best of luck to everyone.

Plus someone posted that the results could be out by the end of January...

Maybe we (the ones in Malaysia at least) should look forward to the CNY holidays first...
 
gakudan, yeap.. there's certainly still other opportunities to study in japan. i'm sure you'll able to realise that somehow. all the best!!
 
gakudan said:
.
Click to expand...

I salute your attempt. It's sad you didn't get it, but take care of yourself. If you need to vent or anything, feel free to PM me. Believe me, I know how you feel.

I'm curious, though - where'd you get the information that there is only 1 recipient for the US?

If that's so, I'm a little suspicious.
 
>gakudan
I am sorry to hear that news too. Good luck for your studies and your plan!
 
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gakudan,

Sorry about the news.
But it is quite weird to hear that only 1 recipient in US. It is the economy in Japan become so bad and this is the outcome? I don't think they budgeted just for 1 person for 2009 in last year's budget.
 
I think gakudan did mention that he is applying for special training of Monbukagakusho. Maybe the number of receipient would be less for that category.
 
wow, im really sorry to hear that gakudan. this makes me a bit more nervous too.

the "special training" scholarship does seem really competitive. according to this: ドメインパーキング ,
110slots for 49 countries, thats like 2 per country. even more, its designated for "developing countries", which isnt the US.

good luck with those study abroad programs and enjoy the rest of your college life. and since you are graduating soon, have you thought about research/graduate school? if so, you should try applying for the "research" student scholarship, like most of us here. there are more slots available and you already have the experience of getting the recommendation for the special training scholarship. plus, im sure everyone here is willing to help you. think about it.
 

I'm very sorry you didn't get the scholarship...

Although, how on earth can it be only ONE PERSON in the entire US that gets the mombushoscholarship? That doesn't make sense at all. More than just one person in the US has gotten a scholarship for Japan from Mombusho this year for sure. Charles is one, and how many else are from the US and have a confirmation?
 

Gakudan's application is completely under a separate category hence don't be alarmed of the low success rate.
Kindly refer to the link Menrui posted. It is very clear that MEXT for research is offering 4030 slots to 168 countries Worldwide, whereas Special Training is only offering 110 slots for 49 DEVELOPING countries.

People, please do not panic. When comparing success rate and statistics, please make sure you are referring to the correct category. Whenever you come across a member posting some information, kindly take note of his/her status of application before comparing to your own to avoid sounding false alarm to other members.

For those who celebrate Chinese New Year, let us warmly welcome the festive season for we may miss it for several years if we're going to Japan.

Good luck to everyone!

Gakudan,
I hope you'll consider applying to other categories, such as the research student category. You can do it during your final year in college so you won't waste any time.
 
I would like to second ooilingfan's above post.
Gakudan's post almost gave me a heart attack when I read only 1 US applicant was being awarded the scholarship. A little thought though and I remembered he is applying for a different type of scholarship than I, so that number wouldn't apply. I know everyone is really excited and anxious about the results, but you may be happier if you pause for a moment before having a conniption.
 
Menrui and ooilingfan,
Thanks for the clarification. I am sorry that I didn't find out the category first. I think I was too nervous and panic when I heard about gakudan's news.

gakudan,
Maybe you can try to apply under the research student category this year. Wish you all the best.
 
oh dang. i'm so sorry to anyone that was alarmed by what i posted!!!!!!! yeah i think that's why i asked in the previous page what program everyone applied for. i applied for the special training skills program (necessary to bold that). that's the only program that a school in my university branch offered to be applied through them. there's basically four reasons why i ended up applying for this program:

-me and my dad had surgeries so i knew applying for something of this magnitude (3 years studying in japan and pretty much all expenses covered) would greatly help my family financially.
-my friends pressured me.
-the 1 year program i considered at first was for middle of september 2008 to august 2009. being that i was still healing from my surgery (august 12 2008 was my surgery, september 23 2008 i was through with recovery) i wasn't able to attend school in japan due to me still recovering from surgery. i also have follow-up appointments i'm still going to, and so that gave me more of a reason to hold off on that program for now.
-i made the age limit (i turned 21 last december)

so yeah. this applying for the scholarship for me was completely spontaneous, so i had no idea about the undergraduate, japanese studies, or college of technology programs (which also have an age limit of 21). but the finances factor mixed with the length of study was what ultimately sold me on applying for the special training skills program. i was notified by the advisor that i was qualified for the program my school system had, so i just went ahead and applied. i had a feeling i wouldn't be chosen, because my math skills are really poor and i had the hardest time working on that math practice exam. that was one thing that made me doubt applying in the first place, but i did it anyway. the english practice and real exams were a breeze, and the japanese practice and real exams weren't so bad either, but i think because i did poor on my math exam (i have a feeling i did really bad), that swayed my chances of getting this program. but i was determined to get nominated at least, and the interviewers saw that in me. i think that's why i was nominated.

i'm planning on either doing the 1 year in japan through my school since by september of this year i'll be 100% healed from my surgery, then going for the research program after that. the 1 year in japan program is only learning japanese, but since i will have graduated from my college by then, at least i'll have a degree while i'm in japan. or i'll just go for the research program and apply through the japanese embassy. you guys gave me ideas of what paths i should take, so i'm really thankful for that and i truly do apologize to everyone that got surprised by what i said about 1 student in the u.s. being chosen. just remember i chose a different program but it was still through MEXT.

and thanks everyone for the support too. i've only been a member here for like 11 days but everyone feels bad about me not getting the program, so at least i feel a little bit better that i got support for my future goals

Nall-ohki:
that's what my advisor told me actually. i guess since the results were sent to him, maybe he also received the statistics of who was accepted.

menrui:
reading what everyone in here is posting, i've become more interested in this research program. it seems less competitive (thankfully) but how are the exams? i struggled in the special training skills math exam (as i said in my post earlier) but either way i've considered that as well. and you're right, that recommendation i have will look good for my application.

this forum is like a Godsend. i've learned a lot about the MEXT program because of the people in here, who have actually applied for a program through MEXT like me. talking to people that have experience is key for me to learn and succeed. thanks again to everyone that has contributed information about their program.

and again, best of luck to everyone
 
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If that's the case, i think it'll be good if you opt for the research program, which ensures you (provided you pass the entrance exam) a higher degree: Master's or higher.
Since it's so super competitive in U.S. for Japan scholarships, be it special training or research student, it's better you choose one which offers you a more significant outcome.
This being said that if you were granted the special training, and upon completion, they don't allow you to extend the scholarship, then you have to return to your home country, after 1-2 years.
Then after some time you decided to do your postgraduate and apply for the MEXT: postgraduate. It will be likely that you are rejected based on the fact that you HAVE received a japanese government scholarship in the past. Hence you will end up like Nall's case (sorry Nall for bringing this up again).
Anyway, it all depends on what you want in the end. If you're planning to do your Master's or PhD in Japan, then go for the MEXT for postgraduate. And if you DO get it for Master's in the near future, make sure you try your best to complete up to PhD level before you return as we know MEXT has the tendency to award the scholarship only ONCE to every individual. Hence, make good use of that one and only opportunity and use it to the MAX.
That's my 2 cents worth. =)
 
its might be less competitve... but keep in mind, its still no walk in the park. i think 2 are selected from each consulate and there are 20 or more applicants(depends on your location, hawaii would seem like a hotspot). you should definitely still give it a go.

the exams should be the least of your worries. there is a japanese and a english language test. you are required to pass at least 1 of these, though we do not know the passing score. the english test should be easy for any native speaker. i suck at the english subject, but i thought it was really easy. you can d/l some samples online. the jpn test is the equivalent of jlpt lvl 3 and 2.

the big deciding factor will be your research and the interview.
 
>gakudan
I think you should start prepare yourself for the postgraduate scholarship. Doing some background research of the universities and the research you would like to do.
The good news: You are in a really good timing. You are eligible for the scholarship at that time. Since for Master courses in Japan, you should be at least 22 years old. (I remember reading that you turned 21 last year, so in April 2010 you should be 22?)
Good luck! Do ask anyone of us here, should you have problems. I think everyone would be glad to answer your questions.
Oh, another good news: no mathematics tests! Just English and Japanese tests. But you might need to sit for the entrance examination. Maybe you should take that into consideration when you are applying for your master? But if you are in natural science field, it is difficult to run away from mathematics. But if you really need to sit for mathematics tests, you still have plenty of time to buck up!
 
Worry about the mathematics entrance exam later.

Just focus your firepower on producing a good research proposal, which is the KEY to the postgrad scholarship. You may start contacting potential supervisors and ask them to advise you on your proposal.
Choose a field that is most related/relevant to your undergraduate to maximise your chances.
Practise on the past year questions of the preliminary English Test, in malaysia we need 80% and above to be shortlisted. I'm not sure about U.S.
After that focus fully on your interview preparation, you only got 10-20mins to convince them. I think you're quite familiar with the rest of the process.
=) good luck
 
ooilingfan:
what you said actually makes a lot of sense. i all ready had a feeling that if i were to get this special skills program through MEXT and i applied for another program through MEXT that my chances of getting both would possibly deteriorate. and to be honest, up until i turned in my application for the special skills program i had no idea what the other qualifications were for the other programs. i was just so sold on getting the special skills program that i didn't consider any of the other programs that MEXT offered. and i think it's better if i do the research program anyways because i would be able to get a degree. in my special skills interview i was saying if i were selected for the program i would do my best to earn a degree, and one of the interviewers said "um you do know this is a vocational program right? so you'll just be earning experience" or something like that. from what it seems, people are earning degrees through the research program in a major they can declare. i would rather pursue that. thanks for the information, i really appreciate that

menrui:
for the special skills program, i lucked out because only 8 people (including myself) applied. if that amount of people here applies for the research program for 2010, that would make me feel better since my chances of being accepted will, at least how i see it, be high. and dang no math exam ha ha, that makes me feel better. probably me applying for the special skills program was a way for me to prepare for the research program. i know what i need to do (the recommendations, applications, medical form, and on and on) so that means i can edit everything i currently own (i still have my personal statements) and make everything better. the english exam will hopefully be easy. the japanese exam, well i have a while to study more. thankfully i talk to my friends in japan daily so being able to study grammar with them rather than only using a book to study has helped me a lot. thanks for your help, menrui.

kouki:
yup you're correct, i'll be 22 in april 2010. ahhhhh old ha ha just joking. but i will for sure be hanging out in this section of the forum even though i didn't receive the program. i'll be looking out for tips people have and will still ask questions. thanks for the support

i have a question to those that applied for the research program. when were your applications due? the applications before the exams, not the applications after being nominated. because mine for the special skills from what i can remember was due june 12. i think they were in june. summer school at my college is broken up in to two sessions, so if i can graduate in the first session that will hopefully be before the research application is due, since i need to be a post-graduate. if i can do the research program, i think that would be a lot better.

and menrui mentioning the jlpt reminds me of something. if you're a mac user (hopefully there are in this section), download the JEDict program for your computer. it's a japanese-english dictionary that's really good, but also has practice tests for all 4 levels of the jlpt. i used to look at the jlpt practice tests before i got busy with other things but that's a great way to learn kanji and vocabulary. i'm not sure if external links not dealing with the monbukagakusho scholarship can be placed in here, so just look up JEDict in google and it's the first result. it's free too btw.
 
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The deadline for application varies among countries. In malaysia it's around first week of April. Please check with your consulate in February when the application is open.

Please be prepared also that the quota for next year (MEXT 2010) might be affected due to the economy. But they will send someone eventually, just make sure your proposal and interview is so damn good that they will choose you over others. You got 5-6 months from now to prepare i suppose. From what i read so far, the competition is U.S. is more intense compared to developing countries. But nevertheless, there are over 400 applicants from all over M'sia in 2008. Perhaps having some basic japanese language background may give you an edge? i'm not sure.

Just stick around the forum. As new applicants join in the discussion, there will be new issues and new information on the scholarship this year.

I would strongly advise you not to assume that everything will be exactly the same as when you applied last year. This is a different year. A bad one, hence there may be changes. Take last year's experience as a guide and try to outdo yourself this year. Gambateh!
 
>gakudan

The application due differs from embassy/consulate to embassy/consulate. You will have to contact your consulate to know it. But the general trend would be before July. In Malaysia, it starts around February to March, due April.

Anyway, you CAN apply for the scholarship, as long as you are sure you can graduate before the date you are going to Japan. That's why there are two intakes, April and October. Any further updates, you can bring it up during your interview in July-August.

Getting supports from professors from several labs might help. If possible, get their letter of recommendation or letter of support.
 
wow...i didn't log in for a day and so much happened!!

sorry to hear about you not getting it gakudan

btw does any know the difference between the special skills training program and the research one? aren't they both just experience?

and it seems all the other info i have to offer to the conversation has already been said so no need to just repeat what others worded so very well

can't believe it's jan already...time has flown by since apps were due
 
thanks everyone for the input. i'm trying to read the application guidelines for the research program and at the same time read everyone's input in here and it's helping out a lot. one question i have though is that i'm interested in applying this year, but on the application guidelines (i don't have enough posts yet to put external links, sorry) it mentions this:
my question is this: in everyone's opinion, would a community college graduate apply for this? i'm going to be 22 by the time i were to go (2010, like kouki mentioned) so i match that qualification. but i'm attending a community college which i plan to graduate from in the summer, which is why i'm interested in applying this year. i'm going to call the japanese embassy in a little bit but i figured i would just ask this question here so i have a feeling of what i would ask the embassy.
btw thanks abeeyo_q8 it's no problem. but to answer your question about having experience for both programs- if you look at the link menrui posted above, one thing i noticed is the "fields of study" section. for the research student section it has this:
Major in field of specialty at a graduate school
Click to expand...
whereas the special training college student (what i applied for) has this:
Post secondary courses
Click to expand...
so i guess it means i could receive a degree from a japanese university, if i were to be selected. i'm still sorting out the details/requirements.
 
oh, i was assuming you were a university student... forgive me, but i dont know too much about the community college scene. what degree will you be graduating with? after reading the guidelines again, i think the scholarship is intended for those with a 4year undergraduate degree. also, many students will use this scholarship in order to enter a masters course, which i think requires a bachelors degree. im not completely sure, so before jumping into conclusion, give us some more details please.
 
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