Monbukagakusho Scholarship for Postgraduate!!

[SOLDIER1st]

yah lol. I'm sure Tdai wouldnt send them out without checking that they would be acceptable.
I was thinking about my last comment and the replies and it occurred to me, I have no back up if Tokyo falls through?! Also from Ajay's post it sounds like the prof didnt mind so much that he'd applied elsewhere.. maybe this is all standard procedure. Plus, things are way different in the UK.. it just feels like a messy system. is that just me?
on another note: i'm struggling to find something to do until April T_T I didn't think I'd get the scholarship to be honest and I hadnt planned anything.. anyone else in the same boat?

Well... It's really complicated to look for something to do in just 7 months. For example, in my case, I'm a recently graduated engineer. I can't study (I mean a serious, complex academic course) because there is not enough time. Most companies won't hire me because I'll leave in a few months and even If I hide the fact that I'm going to Japan (I'm pretty confident, huh? ), It would make me look like a jerk if I tell to the company, that after 7-6 months, I'm leaving because I got a scholarship... or at least that's what I think...
So I'm pretty much tied to the scholarship. I wouldn't like to apply to big companies because I don't want to mop the floor with my reputation (you know, cold hearted unethical bastard XD ). So my only shot is to aim for a shabby company and make some time. I'm planning to take japanese classes to improve my japanese skills, even though many of us will get an intensive course when we arrive.
Those are my ideas. Does someone have other ideas to share?
And on a side note about the scholarship: Are we required to return to our country when the scholarship's over? or we can stay if we find a job or something reaaaally nice in Japan... =P I'll appreciate the help

 

[Rica]

Hi everybody,
It looks like most people are having good luck finding supervisors, that's great!
I just got my LOA from Keio. I'm so excited! It will be the only one I submit, as Keio was my first and only choice. I guess sometimes putting all your eggs in one basket does pay off.
To everyone still trying, don't give up! Good luck!

 

[arap]

yah lol. I'm sure Tdai wouldnt send them out without checking that they would be acceptable.
I was thinking about my last comment and the replies and it occurred to me, I have no back up if Tokyo falls through?! Also from Ajay's post it sounds like the prof didnt mind so much that he'd applied elsewhere.. maybe this is all standard procedure. Plus, things are way different in the UK.. it just feels like a messy system. is that just me?
on another note: i'm struggling to find something to do until April T_T I didn't think I'd get the scholarship to be honest and I hadnt planned anything.. anyone else in the same boat?

Well... It's really complicated to look for something to do in just 7 months. For example, in my case, I'm a recently graduated engineer. I can't study (I mean a serious, complex academic course) because there is not enough time. Most companies won't hire me because I'll leave in a few months and even If I hide the fact that I'm going to Japan (I'm pretty confident, huh? ), It would make me look like a jerk if I tell to the company, that after 7-6 months, I'm leaving because I got a scholarship... or at least that's what I think...
So I'm pretty much tied to the scholarship. I wouldn't like to apply to big companies because I don't want to mop the floor with my reputation (you know, cold hearted unethical bastard XD ). So my only shot is to aim for a shabby company and make some time. I'm planning to take japanese classes to improve my japanese skills, even though many of us will get an intensive course when we arrive.

Hi ellefruit and Soldier1st

Same boat here, I was thinking I'm the only one with this problem

Well what a coincidence, I had the same idea as Soldier1st, I initially planned to find a job again (Yeah it's again because I resigned one earlier) in a "shabby" company...but that's tentative plan though coz' even until now I'm still lazy to apply for one

My concrete plans for now are to learn Japanese language and take JLPT exam at December which I already done both. Other than that I usually learn more about my research topic or anything related with them (well.. I do spent much time on watching movie though)

I don't really have any complain with learning part but I must admit I feel tormented between finding a job or just waiting for the announcement. One part of me think "just be patience, u will get your scholarship soon" but another one think "Don't be arrogance !!! Do u think the success rate for getting the scholarship is big ? I do have a fair chance to be failed also so let's try find a job now to be safe"

well that's what I'm experiencing now, waiting for another suggestion from you guys

 

[ellefruit]

yay!!! i'm not alone!! XD

in my case, I'm a recently graduated engineer.

same!! Freshly graduated engineer, as of july. And yah.. I pretty much dismissed finding a job once I passed this. I thought internships might be the way to go, but finding one right AFTER summer is a little tougher >.< plus.. being a recent grad, i have (next to) no experience.. which apparently makes me difficult to hire >.>

exactly the same with the japanese course and jlpt i guess its one thing you can easily set up for the short term.. and its useful.

lastly I can't shake the thought that this'll probably be the closest thing to a gap year I'll ever get.. I'd love to throw caution to the wind and go travelling.. but i have no ﾂ≫?卍≫?卍≫? and none of my friends have a spare 7 months.. T_T

 

[nyfa]

yay!!! i'm not alone!! XD
same!! Freshly graduated engineer, as of july.

So.. how many freshly graduated engineer here, lol? We're on the same boat actually . I just graduated too this July, but luckily I found a job with only 6 months contract until this December.

I also don't have that much of confidence of this scholarship though.. so I don't know what I should do if my contract ends and I failed this scholarship ..

 

[gcarmelino]

Hi all guys, I ve been reading this post since mmm 2007 when I applied to mombusho for the first time. Finally this year i could pass the english proficiency test. Usually we are 250 candidates for the test. Then like 25 candidates for the interview. At the end I classified as substitute so im crossing my fingers to have a chance. Currently I m assistant professor on architectural design here in Peru and I m looking forward to going to tsukuba university as a research student for architecture. My embassy told me they will inform me between october and november, I would like to know if it is the same date for you guys?.

 

[Kairu88]

Hello, sorry to go off topic a bit, but I have a couple of questions regarding the scholarship that I was hoping someone where might be able to answer... I apologize if some of these questions have already been asked!
What does it take to be accepted as a research student? If you pass the Japanese and English tests and pass the interview, are you accepted? Is that all the application process is based upon? I'm guessing it's not so easy...
Is the interview in English or Japanese?
Also, do you need to submit a transcript of your undergrad studies?
Lastly, I heard that if you're accepted you undergo Japanese language training before beginning your studies at your university in Japan. Does that mean your thesis and classes would all have to be in Japanese?
Thanks a lot!

 

[menrui]

soldier1rst,
"we find... something reaaaally nice in Japan", hehe are we thinking the same thing? anyways, what you do after the scholarship is up to you of course. but your student visa will surely expire.

Kairu,
What does it take to be accepted as a research student?
-there is a guideline you can download at your embassy website, probably. or you can just gooogle for it.
If you pass the Japanese and English tests and pass the interview, are you accepted?
-there is a good chance
Is that all the application process is based upon?
-the initial application takes some time(and money), and requires you to write a research proposal.
Is the interview in English or Japanese?
-both, but the japanese part is basic conversation
Also, do you need to submit a transcript of your undergrad studies?
-yes
Does that mean your thesis and classes would all have to be in Japanese?
-thesis, depends on your major/department. there is a good chance that, most(if not all) of your classes will bbe in japanese.

 

[SOLDIER1st]

Hi menrui!

"we find... something reaaaally nice in Japan", hehe are we thinking the same thing?

Indeed my friend! Indeed! Thanks for the answer!

 

[arap]

@gcarmelino
Actually your schedule is faster than us in Indonesia because we've been told that the tentative announcement will come in December, although we don't know the exact date yet..some says it's in the middle of December.

@SOLDIER1st & Menrui

"we find... something reaaaally nice in Japan"

Hahaha maybe the majority of a single male here, if not all, thinks the same thing as we are..or maybe not ? I don't know bout the ladies though ^ ^

 

[akaitsume1]

Hi everybody,
It looks like most people are having good luck finding supervisors, that's great!
I just got my LOA from Keio. I'm so excited! It will be the only one I submit, as Keio was my first and only choice. I guess sometimes putting all your eggs in one basket does pay off.
To everyone still trying, don't give up! Good luck!

Sweet!! That means I'll see you there!! What are you going to study again? I'm going to be on the Shounan Fujisawa campus.

 

[nyfa]

@gcarmelino
Actually your schedule is faster than us in Indonesia because we've been told that the tentative announcement will come in December, although we don't know the exact date yet..some says it's in the middle of December.

Actually, it was Mr.Kabul who said something about middle of December.. And arap, what does tentative mean? Does it mean it's not confirmed yet?

@Soldier1st & Menrui

Hahaha maybe the majority of a single male here, if not all, thinks the same thing as we are..or maybe not ? I don't know bout the ladies though ^ ^

LOL. When I read this post the first time, I didn't think of something about ladies xDD.

 

[arap]

Hi nyfa,

Nah it's just my word because as far as I know the official one will be out in February, so I call the one in December as tentative one although in most case I heard in the past if we are already confirmed in December, it will most likely we will get the scholarship

 

[nyfa]

Hi nyfa,

Nah it's just my word because as far as I know the official one will be out in February, so I call the one in December as tentative one although in most case I heard in the past if we are already confirmed in December, it will most likely we will get the scholarship

Hi arap,

Hmm, I don't know that there's going to be two phases of announcement, cause my seniors said that there's only going to be one official announcement from embassy. But anyway, let's wait and see..

 

[SOLDIER1st]

Hi guys!

I just received Todai's CoA ( I mean, the real, physical one).Since I live far, far way =P I suppose that all you guys from Todai (specifically Information Science and Tech) have it too amirite? Just wanted to let you know, just in case you're wondering when will the real deal arrive


Now...to wait for December.... I think these will be the longest months of my life.

 

[Rica]

Sweet!! That means I'll see you there!! What are you going to study again? I'm going to be on the Shounan Fujisawa campus.

Woo hoo, how exciting!
I'll be doing Media Design at Hiyoshi campus. What will you be studying?

 

[akaitsume1]

Woo hoo, how exciting!
I'll be doing Media Design at Hiyoshi campus. What will you be studying?

Systems Biology. I have no idea what that means, but at least I'll get to study with the prof I found!!

 

[jitney]

You guys are pretty lucky that you have already gotten your Letters of Acceptances (LoA).

I still haven't gotten one although I have gotten an email "verbal" acceptance from a prof. at Hiroshima University.

Does anyone knows what MEXT does if you can't get a LoA?

Also, because we handed in our "Attachment" before we started contacting the profs/universities, what happens if we do get a LoA from a school not on your original preferred list?

 

[jim84]

Hi nyfa,

Nah it's just my word because as far as I know the official one will be out in February, so I call the one in December as tentative one although in most case I heard in the past if we are already confirmed in December, it will most likely we will get the scholarship

Last year we received a letter in December stating that we were "Tentatively Selected as a scholarship recipient" , "however, you are still subjected to successful placement in a university etc etc etc....". That letter simply means that your criteria, proposal and interview results have been screened by MEXT and they accepted your embassy's recommendation and have no doubt that you are a qualified candidate. At that point, they are still finalizing your university (especially for those who proposed 2,3 universities or more). Hence you will only receive a final final confirmation bearing the date of departure plus the details of your University, department, supervisor in Feb.

Personally i think if you receive the tentative letter in december, you are quite safe to go. There are hundreds of universities in japan. Chances of not being able to place you into any of them are almost nil, unless your research proposal is so weird that no lab dares to take you in.

 

[gilmwa]

If the professor indicated that he is interested in taking you as a student then I think you need not worry. My preferred professor took two weeks to prepare and send my LoA. The LoA took a further 2 weeks (10 working days) to arrive (in Malawi). However, I do not know what MEXT does when the submitted LoA is not on the list in your application attachment.

 

[NeoXtremeX]

Hello everybody,

Quick question... has anybody applied to (or is familiar with) hitotsubashi university ?

 

[moonrayarc]

hola
it's been really time i haven't seen as many replies for one thread!!the subject deserves though
Well i'm student in civil engineering who will finish by june 2010 and i wish apply for monbusho research/master
my questions are :
-is it possible to orient my research project towards another field(economics) other than mine?
-about the university entrance exam,what does it contain?is it hard to pass?
-for those already in japan ,how many people you know from my country?

thanks a lot mates

 

[mounir]

You guys are pretty lucky that you have already gotten your Letters of Acceptances (LoA).
I still haven't gotten one although I have gotten an email "verbal" acceptance from a prof. at Hiroshima University.
Does anyone knows what MEXT does if you can't get a LoA?
Also, because we handed in our "Attachment" before we started contacting the profs/universities, what happens if we do get a LoA from a school not on your original preferred list?

hey, I got my LOA from a prf in Hiroshima university, its my first choice as well. Im waiting for the final word from mext though, and its no fun!!
I have a question, when accepted as an alternate, what does that mean? do u go only if someone else is rejected, coz that sucks!!

 

[gcarmelino]

yes thats it, as a substitute you only will be eligible whether a candidate is rejected or simply when he or she rejects the scholarship, and yes that sucks, im on the same situation

 

[moonrayarc]

hey mounir,you're the first moroccan i found here and 'im glad.i wish you could help me with some informations about the application the research subject ...