Passed embassy screening for MEXT postgraduate 2014 - what next?

Hi guys,
First time on the forum, so do bear with me.
I've been very fortunate to have been recommended by my embassy as a MEXT postgraduate research student for the 2014 cycle, but the deadline for getting our LoAs (letters of acceptance) sorted is coming up very soon and I just wanted to make sure I have all the facts in hand so I won't have to spend more time than necessary frantically couriering documents between the embassy, my home, and the university. (All made even trickier by the fact that I'm not physically based in my home country right now.)
I'm hoping some fellow 2014 applicants/PG scholarship holders from previous years might be able to help with the following --
1. Would I have to send copies of the actual x-ray along with my certificate of health? (Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but I went for a health screening when I was an exchange student a few years back and ended up sending the entire lot, film and all, to Japan.) Also, would we have to send a copy each to the Embassy and to the uni?
2. ***Less immediate though perhaps more important question*** I understand that most MEXT PG applicants are first accepted as research students, but I'm looking to do an MA eventually and I'm just curious about the criteria for extending the scholarship if you're to switch up. Has anyone tried this and was denied a MEXT extension even when you've been accepted into the MA programme? Is there a limit to how long you can remain as a MEXT research student before enrolling as an MA candidate (assuming you'd like to receive the scholarship throughout your entire duration of study)?
I know the obvious answer to question 1 is "Google" -- and many schools do have a checklist for embassy-nominated MEXT students to help them through the LoA, but not mine unfortunately! The next most obvious answer is to ask the school, which I've done, but it might take some time for them to respond, and I'd be very grateful if anyone could share their experiences and point me in the right direction.
Thank you!

1. Would I have to send copies of the actual x-ray along with my certificate of health?

Click to expand...

I can't say I know what the specific universities would prefer, but when I sent my documents to Nagoya university, I only sent the completed health certificate, no X-ray, no actual ECG...and the lady replied with "Documents you sent me are perfect.". Guess it wasn't required.
Also, yes, the embassy wants three copies of the health certificate (with the original). Make sure you have copies to send to your grad school in Japan.

I understand that most MEXT PG applicants are first accepted as research students, but I'm looking to do an MA eventually and I'm just curious about the criteria for extending the scholarship if you're to switch up.

Click to expand...

I have no experience applying for said extension, but here's a few things I've recently learnt:
1. At the university of Tokyo, your professor decides whether to accept you as a research student or a master/doctoral student. So, you may do your MA without going trough the research student phase. I don't know whether other universities do this, but it possible.
2. What goes on behind the scenes when MEXT is deciding whether to extend your scholarship is also shrouded in mystery, as is this entire process we are following, just to get the research student scholarship.

Is there a limit to how long you can remain as a MEXT research student before enrolling as an MA candidate (assuming you'd like to receive the scholarship throughout your entire duration of study)?

Click to expand...

If you go in April, 24 months. If you go in October, 18 months - this is the duration of the research student scholarship. Gives you about 2 or 3 times to try to pass your entrance exams (thereby be able to apply for the extension). As for how long before you can do the entrance exams, some universities are okay with 6 months,while others insist on 1 year as a research student - no worries, you are still eligible to apply for the extension.

As for the LoA, no idea.One of my choices had a "checklist", the other two, I went the route of asking the grad schools. Got replies, although one of them required some nudging - a second email.

All the best!

1. Only a certificate of health is necessary.
2. Usually, the period for non-degree research students is two years and within that two years, you need to enroll as a Master or Doctoral student in some university (usually the university you got a letter of acceptance as a research student before) in case you would like to change your status from non-degree research students.

Hope this help.

Thank you so much, that was incredibly helpful! I've been having the worst time trying to get the health certificate filled where I am (London -- the NHS is notorious) and I'm starting to worry that I might not be able to get the documents out in time. Could I just check that you didn't actually have an ECG? A doctor here has also said that it's only necessary if you have a proven history of heart problems but I'm not sure if I should just go ahead and tackle every single test that's on the health form.

Magician said:

1. Only a certificate of health is necessary.
2. Usually, the period for non-degree research students is two years and within that two years, you need to enroll as a Master or Doctoral student in some university (usually the university you got a letter of acceptance as a research student before) in case you would like to change your status from non-degree research students.

Hope this help.

Click to expand...

It does indeed, thank you! I know the university requires the submission of a good thesis proposal/passing of entrance exams in order to qualify for the Masters or Doctoral course, but I was wondering if there exist any additional criteria for extensions that are specific to MEXT?

oshkoshbegosh said:

Thank you so much, that was incredibly helpful! I've been having the worst time trying to get the health certificate filled where I am (London -- the NHS is notorious) and I'm starting to worry that I might not be able to get the documents out in time. Could I just check that you didn't actually have an ECG? A doctor here has also said that it's only necessary if you have a proven history of heart problems but I'm not sure if I should just go ahead and tackle every single test that's on the health form.

Click to expand...

The way the form is designed seems to suggest that the ECG be done if the 'cardiomegaly' is impaired - I have no idea what that means, but stay with me. My doctor ticked normal, but said I had an unusual beat in my heart, so I did the ECG just to be safe. Turned out normal, and that is just what she ticked on the form (the ECG section). Since the actual ECG report (chart with some lines...) shouldn't necessarily be submitted, and assuming your doctor's preliminary examination doesn't raise any red flags, I'm assuming you could tick normal, and not do the test. Just my opinion.

Colour blindness, speech, hearing. No testing, just ticked normal. I suppose the other tests are basic, and shouldn't take that long.

oshkoshbegosh said:

It does indeed, thank you! I know the university requires the submission of a good thesis proposal/passing of entrance exams in order to qualify for the Masters or Doctoral course, but I was wondering if there exist any additional criteria for extensions that are specific to MEXT?

Click to expand...

Hello there! I am new to the forum so please bear with me- thank you!. I am planning to apply for MEXT for 2015 cycle, as 2014 applications is already closed here in the Philippines and not yet open for 2015 applications, i have been reading about LOAs - is it ok to get one now? - iam not assuming it is easy to get but if it's something i can work on now, then i'll work on it as early as possible. or do i have to wait until my application is assessed? what part of the application can we get as early as now? I am going to take some units for my master's degree this September too in preparation for my MEXT application. i dont have a "straight" path with the MEXT application so i am trying to fill in the cup. thanks!

Hello there! I am new to the forum so please bear with me- thank you!. I am planning to apply for MEXT for 2015 cycle, as 2014 applications is already closed here in the Philippines and not yet open for 2015 applications, i have been reading about LOAs - is it ok to get one now? - iam not assuming it is easy to get but if it's something i can work on now, then i'll work on it as early as possible. or do i have to wait until my application is assessed? what part of the application can we get as early as now? I am going to take some units for my master's degree this September too in preparation for my MEXT application. i dont have a "straight" path with the MEXT application so i am trying to fill in the cup. thanks!