Monbukagakusho Scholarship for Postgraduate!!

[Saulo de Oliveira]

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?
The Consulate normally asks you to get 3 Letters of Acceptance, so they can find the most suitable university for you and for them. If you gave a Private University as first option and a National as second, don't be surprised if you get the National one. But if you just have one LoA, it's a blind shot. Or you will get this one or nothing (even if it is a private one). But don't worry. And yes, MEXT recommendation is consider the final result (I'm talking about graduate course. I'm not pretty sure that undergraduate works that way. As far as I know, it's quite different)

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?
I've been studing japanese for around 6-7 years (with some pauses), and, yet, I'm not good at it (well, not good enough anyway). But I really think that a 6 month *hard* program, living in Japan, will be better than 3-4 years of normal studying. Just try not to use (or less as possible) other languages while in Japan (like English), even trying to speak in Japanese with people of other countries that you meet. And keep studying after those 6 months

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!
Horray!!!

 

[wenling]

Thanks for your explanation, Saulo de Oliveira.
You have been a great help!

Wow, I didn't know you have been studying Japanese language for so long...
I hope that learning foreign language in an intensive way would not *kill* a person. It took me 11 years to master English and I am still learning new stuff right now...

Saulo de Oliveira, are you currently waiting for the results too?

 

[Saulo de Oliveira]

Yeah, still waiting.

Yesterday, I received an email form my consulate, telling people to get some more patience. They say the final result may come anytime, but that could happen just 1 month before the travel (final February).

About the Japanese language, Brazil has the biggest japanese population outside Japan (1.5 million), so it's not hard to find people, even non-descendant like me, that speaks the language.

 

[wenling]

Oh I see.

I remember I read it somewhere that Brazil still holds the largest Japanese population outside Japan due to the influx of Japanese emigrates back in the early 19th century. They are also the largest Portuguese speaking group of people. I think there are two major cities in Brazil that are teeming with Japanese people... one is Sao Paolo and the other I can't recall... hope I got the facts right...

I am still waiting anxiously... I wonder whether can I receive it before I celebrate Chinese New Year on 7 & 8 February 2008...

Saulo de Oliveira, which university that you apply to and what course are you majoring in?

 

[Saulo de Oliveira]

Wenling, the facts are pretty much this. Brazil had two great influx of japanese immigrants: one during the beggining of XX century (1908) and the other after WWII.

I'm applying for Nagoya University, at Information Science course. But, actually, I have a bachelor's degree in Communications (with some enphazis in Advertising)

 

[wenling]

Hey, I am also a graduate in Bachelors of Communication (Hons) major in Advertising too. This is indeed a small world.

I tried applying to Nagoya University too but instead of Information Science, I was applying for the Media and Communication studies... But the Chief Professor told me that I need to sit for an entrance examination before they could accept me. How did you manage to get your Letter of Acceptance from them? Did you sit for the entrance examination?

If I am not mistaken Information Science is also known as Library Science right? You are doing your Masters?

Finally, I got my Letter of Acceptance for Media and Communication studies from Doshisha University in Kyoto .

 

[Saulo de Oliveira]

Yeah, I'm trying the master degree. Via MEXT, during my first year I'll be as a research student and then, around September (i think), enter as a Master degree student (i hope).

Information Science have some link with Library Science, but it is close to Engineer, Design and Communication. For example, my study will involve Content Design in Communication Technologies: how new technologies could create new contents for cellphones, TV, media, internet, games and so on.

About the LoA, actually it was quite simple. I searched for a professor who studied the same area as mine and asked if he could orient my graduation. After few emails, I was accepted.

 

[wenling]

Oh I see. It's quite the same process as mine. If only MEXT allow me to go in April.

Yup. I did use Email to contact with potential Professor but the Nagoya University Chief Professor kept insisting that an entrance examination in Japanese language must be taken before applicant can be considered as a PhD candidate. So, I was bounce here and there till I finally found a Professor who was willing to take me in from a private university. At least Nagoya University is a national university and your chances are much more higher.

Hopefully I would not be reassign to some other universities. I heard MEXT could possibly do that too.

If both of us are accepted, lets hope we could meet up in Japan. Nice to have a friend like you.

 

[jdxccasper]

Few more questions, please...

Hello, would anyone know the answer for some of following questions, please?
( I want to apply for Embassy nomination this year...)

1) As far as I know, my embassy wants to send the list of selected Universities with LoA to MEXT sometimes in August, BUT one of the universities I would like get in specify the date of their selection who gets the LoA in second half of September. And they say, this should be explained to embassy?? I cant really imagine I will try to make embassy wait extra two months for my LoA. ﾂ債｢窶堙ｩ窶堙按ー How come it can be so different... I can only hope either of two sides will be more flexible...

2) I am going to graduate from Masters in June, applying for postgraduate MEXT scholarship. Is it possible to apply for research student status with continuation to Master (entrance examination) and possibly PhD after that, or I am simply not allowed to enter another Master program once I have graduate from one already?

3) Ever heard of case of someone being accepted directly as a regular student ( Masters or PhD), either with or without the entrance examination? So far it looks one needs to start as research student and pass the entrance examination first...

4) Assuming that one starts as research student, continues to Masters and PhD, is the longest possible scholarship period 5 years?

Thanks a lot!

Wish you all patience and luck waiting for the final confirmation!!!

 

[dblbstrd]

JDXC, as far as turning in a letter of acceptance in September, only your embassy can answer that question. If that university is then out of the question because of that, and you don't have any others you would like to list for placement request, it's OK. You don't have to list three choices if you only have one or two universities you're interested in.

2-- I imagine they will accept you as a research student and allow you to go through the master's stage if you like if the degree is not exactly the same (but related to) the one you already have.

3-- They will allow you to bypass the research student stage and go directly to the master's or PhD level IF you pass the school's entrance exam and the school accepts you as a student (this means you'd have to travel to Japan on your own dime to take the exam). It's probably better to go as a research student and take the entrance exam while you're there. I'm sure that it's possible for the work you do as a research student to be productive toward research for your degree anyway.

4-- I believe the longest possible period would then be seven years. You get up to two years as a research student, and the standard is two years for a master's degree, and three for a PhD.

 

[dblbstrd]

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

 

[wenling]

Hi guys,
I have good news.
It seems that the results for MEXT scholarship is out.

I didn't receive official letter yet from the embassy in my country but instead I got an Email and letter from the university that I applied to stating that I have been accepted as a scholar recipient. No news of when I am departing etc but instead I have been requested as to whether I would like to reserve a room in the university hostel for a term of April 2008 to March 2009.

What should I do? There is no embassy official letter yet and I thought I was supposed to be assigned to some language preparatory course first for the 1st six months? Should I reserve the room now?

I am so excited that I think my brain went numb...

Please advice me. Thanks.

 

[Saulo de Oliveira]

Hi Wenling

Good to know. Not all universities enter directly in contact with students (that's my case ). The best thing, I think, is that you should contact your embassy (even not receiving any official letter) and explain the situation.


Good luck

PS: I'm still waiting. And guess what?, it's Carnival in Brazil, so the Embassy will not be open until Wednesday. Full of anxiety.

 

[dblbstrd]

Hi guys,
I have good news.
It seems that the results for MEXT scholarship is out.
I didn't receive official letter yet from the embassy in my country but instead I got an Email and letter from the university that I applied to stating that I have been accepted as a scholar recipient. No news of when I am departing etc but instead I have been requested as to whether I would like to reserve a room in the university hostel for a term of April 2008 to March 2009.
What should I do? There is no embassy official letter yet and I thought I was supposed to be assigned to some language preparatory course first for the 1st six months? Should I reserve the room now?
I am so excited that I think my brain went numb...
Please advice me. Thanks.

I'm glad to hear that, that's very exciting for you! Congratulations!
I would say you should just be patient and wait to hear something from the embassy (must be pretty soon) before you indicate any decision to your school (it actually seems strange that the school should ask you to make such a decision before you've been contacted by the embassy). Or, if the school wants a reply from you pretty soon, perhaps it would be good for you to contact your embassy and confirm with them first.

Congrats again!

 

[wenling]

Contacted the Japanese embassy in Malaysia.
They have not obtained the results yet from MEXT.
Got to wait for a few more days as the Japan embassy will be closed for Chinese New Year celebration in my country from 7 to 8 February 2008.

According to the officials, I can make the necessary arrangements with my university first while waiting for further instructions from the embassy.

Its a bit funny to contact the university first without knowing beforehand where MEXT is going to assign me to study for the Japanese language preparatory course.

I will see what I can do first.

Thanks for the congratulatory post, dblbstrd!
You guys have been very helpful especially dblbstrd, Saulo de Oliveira and osging!
To the rest of the applicants, good luck and I believe you will be getting your results soon!

 

[lcfreitas]

...Waiting...

Hi there. I am also waiting some final decision from the MEXT. What I got was an email from the embassy explaning that I was selected by MEXT and now they are waiting the answer form the Univerisity. I called the embassy and they gave the subject as almost concluded. We are all in the same... Where are you guys probable going to study?

 

[Saulo de Oliveira]

hi Icfreitas,

I am (and the most of us) in the same situation of you. Some people already received a letter from the University, but so far, not any official letter. Anyway, I have only one option: Nagoya University. And you?

By the way, you're from Brazil too, but don't look like you are from Sao Paulo. Where did you get your MEXT scholarship?

 

[ilus]

Hi there,

Although our situation seems different, I think we may probably be at the same stage of the final process. I have not received the official announcement for the scholarship from any source, but had already received an email welcoming me as new student to the university. Although not conclusive, I perceive this as a very good sign (for which I am very grateful).

Goodluck to every one of us!

 

[lcfreitas]

Hi Saulo. I am from Brasília and I did all the process trough the Japanese embassy in Brasília. I have only one acceptance letter from the University of Hiroshima. We are in the Carnival around here and nothing is working adequately. Have to wait.....

 

[dajackal]

Dear All,

I have some new "practical" information. I received today an e-mail from my (future) university telling me that this year, JASSO will not pick up the embassy-recommended students from the airport. We will have to go to the dorm by ourselves.
It seems the budgetary restrictions are affecting many things...I hope the scholarship amount will not be reduced again this year.

Best,

- da Jackal

 

[dblbstrd]

Dear All,
I have some new "practical" information. I received today an e-mail from my (future) university telling me that this year, JASSO will not pick up the embassy-recommended students from the airport. We will have to go to the dorm by ourselves.
It seems the budgetary restrictions are affecting many things...I hope the scholarship amount will not be reduced again this year.
Best,
- da Jackal

Thanks for that tidbit, that's pretty interesting... bummer for those who might not know how to get where they need to go.
Do you know how this affects the arrival allowance?
I thought I had read somewhere that this is usually dispersed by JASSO when they go to pick people up at the airport. I guess they'd either disperse it along with the first month's scholarship (this is what happened when I did 10 months in Japan with a JASSO scholarship) or just not at all?

 

[dajackal]

So far that was the only information the lady in charge gave us in her e-mail.
Someone from the student's mailing-list asked her about the allowance. I will keep you updated if there is an answer.

Best,

- da Jackal

 

[Sahz]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum.

I was surfing the net to see if other prospective/successful MEXT applicants have a forum running and then came across this. I hope to study cardiovascular medicine for my PhD in TMDU at Tokyo (basically, I have a MD, and now going to Japan for a PhD).

I was a contender from Pakistan. I don't have the official letter yet but spoke informally to the Embassy staff and was informed of a successful outcome.

It would be nice to build an in-depth base with those who are in Japan and happy to assist where ever I can

S---

 

[jdxccasper]

JASSO scholarship = problem for MEXT?

DB, thanks a lot for your previous replay to my questions. I will see what i can do, I have three more weeks in Japan so I can try to get in touch with chosen Uni. I am almost sure, it is alright to apply for MEXT scholarship when I was granted JASSO scholarship last year. (just for one year I was studying in Japan). Can anyone confirm that? Plus, is it advantage or disadvantage to have this experience already? I mean it looks they kinda want you to be first time comer to Japan but on the other side they want you to have good Japanese already (even though they dont say that). THX!

 

[dajackal]

Hi,

The secretary just replied that there would not be any arrival allowance anymore...this does not sound good for the future.

Thanks for that tidbit, that's pretty interesting... bummer for those who might not know how to get where they need to go.
Do you know how this affects the arrival allowance?
I thought I had read somewhere that this is usually dispersed by JASSO when they go to pick people up at the airport. I guess they'd either disperse it along with the first month's scholarship (this is what happened when I did 10 months in Japan with a JASSO scholarship) or just not at all?