The MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship is the best way to gain a foothold in Japan and start your life here. Here is my collection of the best advice for that scholarship.
MEXT Scholarship/Monbukagakusho Scholarship Application Guides and Coaching
Hi Travis.
Following your email, I’m giving you feedback of my Embassy-recommended application. Unfortunately, for the second consecutive year, I didn’t get past the document screening. I truly invested all my time and effort in this application, and followed all the tips from your books. It just wasn’t enough.
I’m aware that last year, my research plan was week. This time, I feel like there was nothing more I could do. Maybe I should have written it sooner and asked a professor to review it, which is the only advise of yours which I didn’t follow due to restrictions in time.
I’m currently writing my thesis in order to complete my Master’s degree. Maybe next year I’ll have more chances, since I’ll have a proper abstract and a complete education. I also want to take the JLPT N5, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to have the certificate in time of the application due to the scheduled dates. It may not make a difference since it’s only the beginner level, but either way… I’ll also make sure to ask you to review my research plan. I know there’s a lot that can be improved, but I’m struggling to understand how I can do better.
After I finish my degree in November, I’ll probably try the University-recommendation route. I’ll have to apply first to the university in order to be considered for the MEXT scholarship, which requires a considerable financial investment, and the chances of being accepted and granted the scholarship are extremely low. Either way, I might ask you to review my research plan sooner than later.
Thank you for all your help.
I am very sorry to hear about your results, particularly when you were confident that you had done all you could. There can be any number of reasons that might have gone into the result, but when you are ready for your next application, please let me know if you are still interested in a review of your Field of Study and Research Program Plan or full application and I will be happy to work with you then to see what I can figure out!
For the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, the application period starts at different times depending on the university, so if you know where you want to apply, I recommend you check their application timeline as soon as possible.
I have heard of cases where a research proposal/application that was rejected by the embassy was accepted by the (typically more competitive) university application without any changes, since the two application methods have different priorities, particularly regarding the research proposal.
Again, I am sorry to hear about your situation. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help in the future!
Hi Travis! Thanks for all the help your blogs have given me. Unfortunately, I still made one mistake in the Application Form for the MEXT Embassy Recommendation—I missed including the location of my employment. Can I seek your advice on this? Based on your experiences screening applicants, would this automatically put me in the “no” pile or is there still a way to amend this info to my application say by emailing the embassy etc? At this point, I’ve lost quite a bit of hope I’ll make it past the initial screening despite the effort I put into the Research Plan, but I guess I would like to know if I should just move on and do better next time? Thanks so much!
Leaving out one entry in your application form should not be enough to get your application rejected by itself.
I recommend that you contact the embassy and ask them if there is a way that you can correct it or resubmit that page, though.
Hello
Great job for what you’re doing.. i discovered FAQ then I will be quick as possible. I applied to mext scholarship 2021 by sending scan documents through email but I’m in big trouble.. First set of scan documents with numérotation was in order although I didn’t mentioned title but only in email object ( RS + name)… Then I panicked because I was in hurry and sent an another and another set of application documents (because of the deadline) which I verified later was in disorder.. Since I’m anxious . Sure I got email’embassy notification stating : Dear.. we have received your documents but next time send it in format pdf (we have well received your documents). How is it going..
It sounds like the embassy confirmed that they have received your documents and that you do not need to resend them, but if they do ask you to resend, take your time to prepare and scan them correctly in the required format.
Please I forgot to ask this:
6. On the “Nationality” answer space provided, are we supposed to write the name of our country or the adjective ?
For example, I’m from CAMEROON. Should I answer with “CAMEROONIAN” or “CAMEROON” ?!
6. You should write the name of your country (Cameroon, in your case). But it is not a significant problem if you wrote the adjective and already submitted it, they will be able to figure it out and that will not hurt you.
Hi, I’m Frank Cabrel from Cameroon and I’m currently applying for the MEXT scholarship for Research students.
Travis pls I have the following questions concerning the Application documents and I really need your help
1. Concerning the photograph on the application form, i just stapled all three photos on it, so will i encounter a complication in future or can I print another copy of the application form now and paste the photos with a cello tape?
2. My doctor used a blue pen when filling my Medical certificate so I’m wandering if this is a problem?
3. Concerning the Research thesis I’m to submit, should I submit the whole copy with the total number of pages done or i should submit just an abstract….(By the way I’m not yet done with my research thesis because I’m still carrying out the data analysis)
4. Still for the photos, should I trim them appropriately for them to fit in perfectly in the box on the application form or should I paste it as it is ?
5. When submitting the documents to the Embassy should I put each document in a separate envelope before compiling them in one folder or what should I do Travis…I’m so confused ….and I’m to submit my application file next week
Please Travis reply to me as soon as you get this 🙏🙏
Hi Travis.
Following your email, I’m giving you feedback of my Embassy-recommended application. Unfortunately, for the second consecutive year, I didn’t get past the document screening. I truly invested all my time and effort in this application, and followed all the tips from your books. It just wasn’t enough.
I’m aware that last year, my research plan was week. This time, I feel like there was nothing more I could do. Maybe I should have written it sooner and asked a professor to review it, which is the only advise of yours which I didn’t follow due to restrictions in time.
I’m currently writing my thesis in order to complete my Master’s degree. Maybe next year I’ll have more chances, since I’ll have a proper abstract and a complete education. I also want to take the JLPT N5, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to have the certificate in time of the application due to the scheduled dates. It may not make a difference since it’s only the beginner level, but either way… I’ll also make sure to ask you to review my research plan. I know there’s a lot that can be improved, but I’m struggling to understand how I can do better.
After I finish my degree in November, I’ll probably try the University-recommendation route. I’ll have to apply first to the university in order to be considered for the MEXT scholarship, which requires a considerable financial investment, and the chances of being accepted and granted the scholarship are extremely low. Either way, I might ask you to review my research plan sooner than later.
Thank you for all your help.
Hi Rui Pedro Bessa,
I am very sorry to hear about your results, particularly when you were confident that you had done all you could. There can be any number of reasons that might have gone into the result, but when you are ready for your next application, please let me know if you are still interested in a review of your Field of Study and Research Program Plan or full application and I will be happy to work with you then to see what I can figure out!
For the University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship, the application period starts at different times depending on the university, so if you know where you want to apply, I recommend you check their application timeline as soon as possible.
I have heard of cases where a research proposal/application that was rejected by the embassy was accepted by the (typically more competitive) university application without any changes, since the two application methods have different priorities, particularly regarding the research proposal.
Again, I am sorry to hear about your situation. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help in the future!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis! Thanks for all the help your blogs have given me. Unfortunately, I still made one mistake in the Application Form for the MEXT Embassy Recommendation—I missed including the location of my employment. Can I seek your advice on this? Based on your experiences screening applicants, would this automatically put me in the “no” pile or is there still a way to amend this info to my application say by emailing the embassy etc? At this point, I’ve lost quite a bit of hope I’ll make it past the initial screening despite the effort I put into the Research Plan, but I guess I would like to know if I should just move on and do better next time? Thanks so much!
Hi Jana,
Leaving out one entry in your application form should not be enough to get your application rejected by itself.
I recommend that you contact the embassy and ask them if there is a way that you can correct it or resubmit that page, though.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello
Great job for what you’re doing.. i discovered FAQ then I will be quick as possible. I applied to mext scholarship 2021 by sending scan documents through email but I’m in big trouble.. First set of scan documents with numérotation was in order although I didn’t mentioned title but only in email object ( RS + name)… Then I panicked because I was in hurry and sent an another and another set of application documents (because of the deadline) which I verified later was in disorder.. Since I’m anxious . Sure I got email’embassy notification stating : Dear.. we have received your documents but next time send it in format pdf (we have well received your documents). How is it going..
Hi Fulvio,
It sounds like the embassy confirmed that they have received your documents and that you do not need to resend them, but if they do ask you to resend, take your time to prepare and scan them correctly in the required format.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Please I forgot to ask this:
6. On the “Nationality” answer space provided, are we supposed to write the name of our country or the adjective ?
For example, I’m from CAMEROON. Should I answer with “CAMEROONIAN” or “CAMEROON” ?!
Hi Frank Cabrel,
6. You should write the name of your country (Cameroon, in your case). But it is not a significant problem if you wrote the adjective and already submitted it, they will be able to figure it out and that will not hurt you.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, I’m Frank Cabrel from Cameroon and I’m currently applying for the MEXT scholarship for Research students.
Travis pls I have the following questions concerning the Application documents and I really need your help
1. Concerning the photograph on the application form, i just stapled all three photos on it, so will i encounter a complication in future or can I print another copy of the application form now and paste the photos with a cello tape?
2. My doctor used a blue pen when filling my Medical certificate so I’m wandering if this is a problem?
3. Concerning the Research thesis I’m to submit, should I submit the whole copy with the total number of pages done or i should submit just an abstract….(By the way I’m not yet done with my research thesis because I’m still carrying out the data analysis)
4. Still for the photos, should I trim them appropriately for them to fit in perfectly in the box on the application form or should I paste it as it is ?
5. When submitting the documents to the Embassy should I put each document in a separate envelope before compiling them in one folder or what should I do Travis…I’m so confused ….and I’m to submit my application file next week
Please Travis reply to me as soon as you get this 🙏🙏
Hi Frank Cabrel,
I saw you had asked the same question on another article and answered it there first.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz