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
Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship Free Guides
University-Recommended MEXT Scholarship Free Guides
What new MEXT Scholarship guides would you like to see?
Let me know in the comments below!
I feel happy to tell you that i cleared my MEXT written test held on 13 July in India. Immediately afterwards an more-or-less informal interview was conducted by a person who had come from Japan. (I believe a Mr. Urijo)
During the interview, I was asked the following question : I believe you do know that you have got nice marks in this written exam and have been selected by the Mumbai embassy, but we yet do not know where your place is on a all-India level. We cannot be sure that you will get the scholarship… What do you plan to do if you don’t get the scholarship?
But, I wish to ask you what is the exact process after this? I have been told that another interview takes place in December at the capital, New Delhi. But what I know is very vague and possibly third hand information.
could you please guide?
Also I would like to tell that your tips on the interview helped me immensely during the first interview.
Hi Peeyusha Laturkar,
Congratulations on getting past the test and interview! Thank you very mush for sharing the questions you were asked, as well.
I have heard from several other applicants that they were asked what they would do if they do not get the scholarship, so it seems to be a new trending question this year, not something specific to you. I added it to my article about the interview, along with my assessment that the purpose of the question is to see whether or not you are determined to pursue your goals regardless of the scholarship, or whether you just want a free degree.
As for what comes next, I do not know about any further interviews and even if there is something in December, given the timing, I think that would just be informing you of your results, not a competitive stage at that point. Once you pass the primary screening, then you are practically guaranteed to receive the scholarship. Your next step will be acquiring a Letter of Provisional Acceptance, which is the last stage of the application that you really need to put work into and worry about in any way. After that, it will just be a matter of waiting for the results of the Secondary Screening and Placement.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
good day , please i have a worry my transcript is average, and not the best, i dont know if this might cause me to fail the embassy pre screening, for collage of technology studies.
Hi Ayuk,
I do not have any specific expertise on the College of Technology application process, but for the application processes I am familiar with, I know that your grades are one of the more important factors in the selection process.
To find out more about how MEXT converts and evaluates grades, I recommend you check out my article about calculating your GPA for the MEXT scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis.
I have a question.. I am a student at the Japanese school in Tokyo.. I want to go to Korea for traveling on July and will back after 3 days. Can I bring my boyfriend with me to Japan? he was in japan before but his visa was touristic visa.. if I go to Korea I can bring him with me? But his visa is finished .it wouldn’t be any problem or dangerous side for my study or my study visa?
Thank you. Help me please what should I do?
P. S. he is not Korean he is Turkish.
Hi Mohi,
If your boyfriend wants to come to Japan on a tourist visa, he should check what the rules are for tourist visas for residents of his country. Depending on his nationality, he may be eligible for a 90-day visa-free stay in Japan, or he might have to go through an application process. The best place to find out is the website of the Japanese embassy in his home country (even if he is not living there).
Either way, applying for a tourist visa is his sole responsibility and should not affect you in any way.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Please travis,I downloaded the PDF of MEXT Schorlaship from the Japan embassy website. How do I go about filling the form and submitting it. It’s been difficult for me to comprehend. I need your counsel. Thanks
And again, I am applying for the undergraduate application.
Hi Ikem,
I didn’t realize that when I wrote my last comment.
My articles are primarily focused on the scholarship for graduate students and I have not written any dedicated articles or created sample forms for the undergraduate scholarship. The instructions on how to complete the graduate application may still help you for some sections, but you will have to figure out the rest on your own or seek help from someone with more expertise in the undergraduate scholarship.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Ikem,
I wrote an article about how to answer the questions from last year’s application form, but did not get it updated in time for this year’s form. Still, last year’s version should help you for most of the entries. You can find that article here and if you join my mailing list, I will send you a link to download a sample filled version of the form.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I’ve been reading almost all your articles and completed already your first book. I’ve been preparing since last year to apply for MEXT. Unlucky, I just found everything you wrote. The good thing I’m a good reader and I could use all your information to make everything better.
To be honest with you, I’m finding it a little bit hard to fill in the Field of study. I can understand everything and I see how you can relate all a filed. My field is Visual Art, contemporary practice of arts. Somehow its really hard for me to explain my work in a more scientific way and make someone interested in my art. I can see the huge difference between a project that can be done physically and how they can impact directly society, while arts is very subjective to describe and to see its impact.
If you have any tip for it I will appreciate it very much.
Thank you for writing everything.
Hi Gaby M,
Thank you very much for your kind words!
My articles about writing the Field of Study and Research Program Plan are mostly based on the premise of academic research, so I understand it could be challenging to adapt them to visual arts. But actually, one of my most significant sources and inspirations was an old Field of Study and Research Program Plan that was written by a visual arts major, Lars Martinson. Lars shared his Field of Study on his own website and broke down his application process. While the form itself has changed since he wrote it, I think the ideas behind it can still help you. You can find it using my shortcut link: http://www.transenzjapan.com/lars/
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
First of all, I’d like to thank you for all the work you’ve put into the website, it’s helped me a lot throughout my application process and in feeling more confident that I have a chance of being selected for the MEXT scholarship.
I have a question – how necessary is it to have a TOEFL or IELTS qualification if you’re a non-native English speaker? Back in high school, I got an A grade on the Cambridge FCE exam (equivalent to a C1 certification). I haven’t taken any sort of English exam since then, but I’m quite confident in my English skills. How much will this impair my application? Is there anything I can do, considering that I can’t take either of these exams until the application deadline?
Another question: do you happen to know what language the interviews are done in in non-English speaking countries? I’m applying in Portugal, and I wanted to know if I should be practicing for it in English or in my own language.
Thank you in advance for your time,
Rebeca
Hi Rebeca,
You do not need to have a TOEFL or IELTS score when you apply to the Embassy – and I would recommend listing your FCE score with C1 in parentheses. MEXT has started referring to the CEFR for language proficiency as of last year’s University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, so they would translate well.
You will take an English language exam during the primary screening, and that will be the most important factor regarding language ability for your selection. The external scores, though, are more relevant when you start asking universities for letters of acceptance. They, too, might accept that FCE score, especially if you have been enrolled in an English-taught degree program in the mean time. I would recommend that you look at their website and guidelines for “regular” international student admissions to see what they usually require. If you find that the universities you want to apply to seem to be extra strict, then it might be worth your while to take a new proficiency test.
As far as the language of the interview goes, I think it is always in English – except that part will be in Japanese, if you say that you have Japanese ability and plan to study in that language. It makes the most sense for them to interview you in the language that you will be studying in!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
AOA.Hope you are fine.I’ve done my fsc from 2015-2017 and after that i gave improvement exam in 2018 now what should i mention in high school as fsc is only of 2 years …secondly , In total years of scooling attended should gap year also be counted or not.
Hi Amna,
I’m afraid I do not know what an FSC is or what the education system is in your country, so I cannot answer your question.
I can say, however, that a gap in school would not be counted toward your education years. You should calculate only the years that you were in school.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis,
I found your tips really helpful. I have graduated in December 2018. I don’t have any work experience in my field. I have done BBA(hons) in HR. Can you suggest me what interesting topic should I start working on? Also, in Japan, there is always lack of workforce. My graduation thesis was on the topic of impact of training on employee retention. Can you give some advice on how to connect those things to get an interest research topic for MEXT?
Thank you.
Hi Marvi,
I do not have a business degree, so I would hesitate to offer advice specific to your research topic.
My book, How to Write a Scholarship-Winning Field of Study and Research Program Plan, includes several chapters designed to help you determine an appropriate research topic based on your past studies and the goal you want to achieve through your MEXT scholarship, but it is not really possible to condense all of that down to a single comment here.
My best advice for you is to get clear on what your goal is after completing the MEXT scholarship – it should be a goal that serves your community as well as the relationship between Japan and your home country. Then, figure out the intersection between that goal and your past studies, and find a research topic as close as possible to that intersection.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thanks for that. I would want to ask about the recommendation letter. From the sample Letter given in the website there are set of instructions given, on how the letter is to be sealed in an envelope, mark and sealed and resent and later on submitted and all that. Do i have to follow all that instructions or simply request for a recommendation letter from my referee which i will just submit with the other documents.
Hi Chimdi,
The sample letter is from years ago when MEXT did require that they be submitted in a sealed envelope, but that is no longer the case.
The instructions do not require the letter be sealed and there is no requirement to use that template. So, you can simply ask your recommender for a letter.
(It is better if it is unsealed, since you will have to make three copies, anyway).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
One question is that at the time of application do we need a research proposal or not? what documents we need with our application form at time of submission to embassy?
Hi Mehboob Ul Haq,
Yes, you need to submit a research proposal (Field of Study and Research Program Plan) with your application.
I would recommend you read my recent article about how to apply for the Embassy-Recommended MEXT Scholarship for a list of the required documents.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis,
You have been of a help to a lot who are in need,
much appreciation for your cooperation.
i have a couple of questions, hope you are free and have time to respond.
Should i apply all the forms ” Application Form + Field Study Research form and Health Certification” in the first screening selection stage ?
How can i fill an almost perfect “Field Study Research Form”?
should i contact the advisers who would consider my research plan in the first screening which is by July 16th.
Hi Ismaeil,
Yes, you would need to submit all of the application documents at once for the Primary Screening. I have the complete MEXT list in my most recent article about how to apply for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship, but make sure to check with your local embassy, because they may have additional requirements.
You do not need to be in contact with your target professors before the Primary Screening, but I typically recommend starting to network with them as early as possible. It will help you determine whether that professor is going to be a good fit or not and can also help with the Letter of Acceptance application later.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello dear: I’m from Ethiopia, I want to study my masters degree in japan and the application is started recently. For the deadline I have only 11 days. So, while am filling the forms Am confused about ‘Field of study and research plan’. Please would you to send me the samples of field of study and research plan please.
Hi Bikila,
I do not have a filled sample of that form, but I did write an article about what it should look like, including a template. You can find that article here.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello, Travis
Thank you for all information
I have only one question
Now I’m graduating bachelor degree in my country. As I want to change my specialist, I want to apply for MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship. But my Japanese level is 0. I don’t know Japanese language totally. Still do I have a chance to be selected for the scholarship?
Thank you in advance
Hi Behepa,
If you are finishing your undergrad in your country, then you should be looking at applying for the MEXT Scholarship for research students (graduate students). You do not need to have Japanese language ability to apply, as long as you are going for a program taught in English.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
My son is extremely interested in going to Japan to study. He wants to study to be a translator – but he has no Japanese knowledge (other than some youtube tutorials, video games, and anime movies. My concern – is this even a reasonable expectation for him to receive a MEXT scholarship? I’m think that the competition for the scholarship will be high – am I correct?
As additional background, my son has been attending community college part-time for 5 years in the US toward an IT Networking degree, and his converted GPA is 2.4). He has not worked, except with family members doing manual labor. He does not volunteer. He is a “gamer” and spends most of his time playing games into the early morning, so then he sleeps during the day.
I’m really concerned that he is setting himself up for failure, but I also do not want to discourage him from even trying. Just a concerned mom trying to get some info on the likelihood of success at applying and/or statistics for getting in.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Dina,
Yes, the competition for this scholarship is very high. I think you mentioned in a previous post that your son was interested in the undergraduate scholarship, is that correct? In that case, it is his high school performance, not community college, that would be relevant to his application. I know that the US is not eligible for the undergraduate scholarship, though, so unless he has citizenship in another country and that country is willing to accept applications from citizens living abroad, he would not be able to apply at all.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
In the 2020 embassy recommended research plan instruction it is stated it should be created within 2 sheets. Can you elaborate on this. Do they mean at most one(1) additional sheet attached to the one you downloaded
I ask this because two sheets might just seem to little for the whole research plan/proposal.
Hi Chimdi,
It’s all about being concise and only including the necessary information! I have worked with several coaching clients this year and have never seen a plan that needed more than two pages.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Chimdi,
That’s right, you can add a maximum of one sheet to the form. Although you can add attachments if necessary (like a list of sources, or your research timeline), the plan and all essential information must be contained within those two sheets. I have a template you can follow in my recent article about the Field of Study and Research Program Plan, too!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I am computer science graduate wishing to do my masters in Japan. I am Nigerian by birth but i live Botswana. Is it possible to apply in the embassy this side since i don’t live in my home country
Hi Sola Oluwayomi,
If you are applying for the Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship, you must apply to the embassy in the country where you have citizenship (the country that issued your passport). You may be able to submit the initial application by mail, but for the interviews and tests later, you would have to go to the Japanese embassy in Nigeria in person.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis
I just arrived in Japan as a Mext Student. This blog helped me understand the process involved in obtaining the scholarship and mainly how to write a good Research Plan.
The process was long and when I had to wait months for the final response I did not stress because the blog gave me awareness of the time certain steps took.
I really appreciated all the information I could get and here I found most of it.
Keep the Good work.
Kind Regards
Euridice Paiva
Hi Euridice Paiva,
Thank you very much for your kind words and feedback! I am very glad to hear that I was able to help.
If there was something else that you wish you had known during the process that you think I should add to the articles in the future, please let me know!
Good Luck with your studies!
– Travis from TranSenz
Mr. Transe,,, thank u so much, yesterday I have received your email directly at that instant .. yes you are right I m trying to apply for MEXT scholarship for aboard studies in Japan as a research student in the subject Agriculture. Today I m going to talk with an ambessy about how I can get this MEXT scholarship. For now I wanna choose three universities in Japan i.e. Kyoto university, Osaka university and Tokyo university of agriculture and technology… And about how to fill up the form I have no clue because it’s my first time and I feel like I may face some difficulties but nevertheless I will do my best… And yeah, I m from India country so please tell me process if you know of how can I get through for I m a beginner and I have lack of knowledge.. I have read every reply and comment in this blog of your and one thing I m confused is that must I have a contact with a professor from Japan in prior to this process or not and if so then how can I get their contact details…
Hi Imran,
I have an article from last year about how to fill in the application form, but I am working on an update. They have added several sections this year, but for the sections that still remain from last year, my old guide should still be relevant!
I am also working on updated guides to the application process and eligibility criteria and will have those out soon, but in the meantime, you can find the information from last year here.
You do not need to have contact with a professor in Japan in advance, though it can be helpful if you do. For now, strictly speaking, the minimum requirement is to find a professor at each of your target universities that would be able to supervise your research. I have an article about finding universities and professors in Japan that can help with that process and also offers suggestions about how to get in touch.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello,
I am from India and i came across mext scholarship recently. I am fond of Japan , so dont want to miss this chance to do my phd from there. As am new to this so I dont have any idea how to proceed. My quiries are-
1. Do I have to search the guids before hand filling the form..i mean do I have to contact the guide beforehand.
2. I did my msc. In zoology with a dissertation on ecology, currently working as research assistant on a climate change project……BUT I want to persue my phd in the field of cell signalling. Is it possible ?
Please do reply
Hi Sushmita Ghosh,
1. I’m not sure what you mean by contacting the guides. The guides on this website are simply information articles. I am not officially related to the MEXT scholarship process and there is no need to go through what I have written here. I think it will help you to read, understand, and apply what I have talked about – that’s why I wrote it – but it is not mandatory by any means.
2. Unfortunately, I do not know enough about your fields and individual research to be able to tell how closely they are related. When you write your Field of Study and Research Program Plan, you will need to show clearly how your research in Japan builds off your previous research and education in an academic environment. If you can make the case that they are closely related, then you should have no problem.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
My field is biology…i completed my msc last year and currently working as a research assistant. I did my dissertation on ecology but want my phd in cell and molecular biology. Yead i refer the professors as guide
Hi Sushmita Ghosh,
Thank you for letting me know. You should be able to find a great number of biology programs taught in English in Japan!
In your field, I would recommend contacting professors in advance. Once you have developed your research proposal (Field of Study and Research Program Plan), then it would be a good idea to reach out to make sure that the professors you are interested in would be able to supervise your research.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis
Thank you very much for your help .
I have a question i am PhD researcher in miyazaki university for two years i have got joint supervision scholarship between japan and Egypt so i already finished on year.
is there any chance to get MEXT scholarship for one year ? i am not student in miyazaki university but i am PhD researcher here in miyazaki university.
My question, Can i apply in Privately-financed scholarship programs or for students only?
I hope you guide me what is the opportunities for me?
Thank you very much
Amany
Hi Amany,
Since you are already enrolled at Miyazaki University and would be keeping the same status, you would not be eligible to apply for the MEXT Scholarship.
Whether or not you are allowed to apply for the scholarships for privately financed scholars would depend on Miyazaki’s decision and the exact nature of your current scholarship. I would recommend that you check with their international office for more information.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thankyou so much for your personal guidance and i have get to know about the details ,how to apply for mext and how to fill the application form but can you please give the adress to which the application form should be sent as going through the mail i got confused on that very end so please forward the to address where the application form should be sent
Hi Abhijith,
First, you need to decide how you’re going to apply! I would recommend you start with my article about how to get started with the MEXT Scholarship application. That will introduce the two application methods and help you decide which you will use. Once you have made that decision, you’ll know where to go to find all of the application instructions as well as where to submit the application.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear sir,
I am participating in the exchange program of Saga University this April. but I did not receive any scholarship from Saga University. I will be glad to apply for your scholarship. May I know who should I refer to apply for the scholarship? What should I do? Is there any form to fill?
Kind regards,
MUHAMMAD HAZIQ TAQIUDDIN
Hi Muhammad Haziq Tagiuddin,
The guides linked from the page describe the scholarship and the various phases of the application process in detail. I would recommend that you start with the article on the basics of the MEXT scholarship to gain a general understanding of what it is.
This scholarship is offered by the Japanese government and would not be available to cover an exchange program for someone who is already in Japan.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
What text book is appropriate to study for undergraduate exam
Hi Avenbuan osazee,
Unfortunately, I do not have any expertise in the MEXT Scholarship for undergraduates, so I cannot help with this question. I hope someone else can comment here and help you!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I just gave my written exam and passed..
so personally i would suggest
– tomato for mathematics
– NCERT for physics and chemistry
you can get these books freely online…
(PS; try Indian websites)
Best Of Luck
What text book is appropriate for undergraduate
For science
Hi Avenbuan osazee,
Unfortunately, I do not have any expertise in the MEXT Scholarship for undergraduates, so I cannot help with this question. I hope someone else can comment here and help you!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey, do I need to have a TOEFL certificate along with jlpt certificate for admission in university through mext
Hi Sophia,
I am working on an updated article about the eligibility requirements based on the University Recommended MEXT Guidelines that came out last week and will have more information there. In the meantime, you only need proof of language proficiency for the language your degree program will be taught in (Japanese or English). Having both is beneficial.
For English, MEXT will accept TOEFL and other official scores that meet the B2 level of the CEFR scale. As of this year, they will also accept applicants who completed their previous degree entirely in English (although universities may have their own requirements, too).
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis
Thank you very much for you useful guidelines. I passed the second screening as well. i will be a research student in Tsukuba University. I will try to continue my education in master in disability Sciences program there. It would never took place if i was not reading the important information you provided in this Blog.
Idrees Naeemy from Afghanistan
Hi M.Idrees Naeemy,
Congratulations! I am very happy for you and wish you the best of success at Tsukuba. I know they have one of the best and most active disability sciences programs in Japan. I’m on their mailing list for disability sciences in higher ed, so I look forward to seeing the results of your research in those messages in the future!
Good Luck in Japan!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis
Thank you very much for your useful blog.
I’m a privately financed student and i have just passed the kyoto university entrance exam a few days ago (mid august 2018) and i’m gonna start my studies on october. I wanted to know if i can apply for mext scholarship now? Or I should wait for the next year?
Hi Hamed,
If you’re already enrolling in a Japaneses graduate school as privately financed scholar, then you would not be eligible to apply for the MEXT scholarship at all through the methods I talk about on this website. The University and Embassy Recommendation MEXT scholarship application processes are only available to applicants who have not yet enrolled in Japanese universities.
There may be a way to apply for a Top Global University MEXT scholarship through Kyodai after you start your studies. They should offer an opportunity for privately financed international students to apply for something called a unified scholarship application process. The top students in that application could be nominated by MEXT, but it is highly competitive if it is even available.
If you are prepared to finance your education yourself, the go ahead with your current plan. But if you really eed a scholarship, then you might want to consider refusing the admissions offer and applying next year for studies via the MEXT scholarship, though that will delay your start by a year or two.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. And above all huge thanks for dedicating your time helping us.
I think I have no more chances for getting the mext scholarship and I’d be better finding a part time job instead.
Hi Hamed,
Thank you for your feedback!
Good luck with the job search. There are also other scholarships available through that same application process I mentioned, such as the JASSO scholarship. Usually, they are far less generous than MEXT, but it’s better than nothing! So once you enroll, I certainly recommend that you look out for those opportunities.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi, love your dedication to the blog, pure gold for those in need.
Question: what serves the purpose better; the sample recommendation form given by mext or a free form recommendation letter. As the instructions on the recommendation are quite tedious, am looking to streamline it for my referees.
Thank you.
Hi George,
Thank you for your kinds words!
There is no problem with submitting a free form recommendation letter and it will not hurt you to do so. The template just gives a guide as to what information should be included.
The template was required up until a few years ago and the tedious instructions written there were from that year. Some of them have since changed. So, I recommend that you just focus on the contents, not the instructions, unless your embassy specifically tells you otherwise.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Greetings. I can’t thank you enough for making such an amazing blog. You’re too kind. I basically have two questions regarding the first two pages of application from where it says “if you currently reside in outside of your home country, you won’t be provided with a flight ticket”..
“if yes, do you understand that you have to cancel the other scholarship after being selected for mext” should I tick yes or no? knowing that I neither live outside of my home country, nor do I have another scholarship application other than MEXT.
Hi Onizuka,
I recently wrote an article that goes step-by-step through the application form, which I think may help answer your question.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
hi.. im here just to ask you, when should i recieved my result from you.. about the scholarship
Hi Stallon Sairibo,
I’m just a blogger, I don’t release results of the scholarship application.
You’ll want to contact the embassy or university where you applied.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I am from Myanmar.I want to apply for scholarship in mathematics PhD.I can apply it.
Hi Su Mya Thandar,
There are several guides linked from this page about eligibility and how to get started. I suggest you start by reading those!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I would like to check regarding visa application of a MEXT Scholar. I am in the midst of getting all the admins done and finally gotten my accommodation in Hokkaido settled. So I was getting all flustered on the visa application form on the “Guarantor or reference in Japan” and “Inviter in Japan” parts. Do I need to apply for an COE?
Please advise! Thank you very much in advance and hoping to hear from you soon!
Hi YiXuan,
There is a special visa application process for MEXT scholars and you do not need a CoE.
You should have gotten instructions from the Embassy or University about how to apply. If not, I recommend that you contact the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate to your home and ask them how to go through the application process. They should have your name on a list of MEXT scholars for their area and guide you through the process.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you for the highly informative guide! It was very useful. I was wondering if you had insight into domestic selection for MEXT scholarships. I’m currently studying for my PhD, and have gotten through to a university interview stage a couple of times, but always seem to fall short. My GPA is 2.7 on the MEXT scale, so I’m definitely eligible. I’m not really sure what I can do to help my application stronger, so if you had any advice regarding what things universities might be looking for I’d greatly appreciate it.
Thank you for your time.
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
I’m glad you found it helpful!
I really should put out a guide on the MEXT domestic selection with all the questions I’ve been getting on it lately. Stay tuned for that!
Just to be sure, it sounds like you’re currently enrolled in a Japanese university in a PhD program and that you interview for the MEXT domestic selection scholarship each year. I’m going to base the reply on that assumption.
With MEXT domestic selection, there are a very limited number of places available to each university. My former university never had more than 3 and it was one of the larger, more international schools. It wouldn’t be surprising to learn that many universities only had 1. So, the competition is intense.
At my university, we did a unified scholarship application process twice per year. Based on the results of that – documents and interview – we’d rank each of our internationals students. Then the top student would get recommended for the best scholarship they were eligible and on down the list. Basically, you would have had to be one of the top two international grad students (out of over 1000) to get the MEXT domestic selection recommendation. To get there, you would have had to have essentially perfect grades and nail the interview (which, of course, depends on the makeup and temperment of your interview panel).
In my experience, the interview was usually the killer. Students struggled to present their research and its applications in a way that made sense to and intrigued the interview panel (in many cases by being too technical) in their limited time. Since you have experience with the interview now and know what they ask, I’d recommend practicing that with people from different backgrounds to make sure it has the intended effect and you know your responses down cold.
Your university might be different, of course, but that’s all I know from personal experience. Perhaps another commenter can add more.
Good Luck,
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you very much for your blog. It is super informative!
I have a question here. I am from Malaysia and I have been to the lab I am interested to pursue my PhD in recently for a short internship stint. Thus, now I am trying to apply for a scholarship to continue with my PhD at the lab.
The thing is the graduate school I am planning to enroll in have a Special Program for International Graduate Students under MEXT sponsorship. The application for admission this year is over, but it will open in Jan 2017 for admission Oct 2017. In the meanwhile, application for MEXT via Embassy Recommendation is already open now for admission Apr or Oct 2017.
My supervisor recommended me to apply under the Special Program, as I would have a higher chance of being accepted.
My question is – can I apply to the MEXT via embassy recommendation in the meantime first? As the Special Program application is only open next year, where the decision for the Embassy Recommendation is already out.
I hope you can understand what I am trying to ask. It’s a bit confusing.
Hope to hear back from you. Thank you very much!
Hi Benjy,
I would probably recommend that you do apply for the embassy recommendation in the meantime.
From what I understand, the Embassy-recommended MEXT scholarship results are announced anywhere between Dec – late Jan. So, you could conceivably apply for the Embassy-recommended scholarship and have the results before you apply for the Special Program at your chosen university.
If you pass the primary screening for the Embassy-recommended scholarship, which you should know in July or August 2016, then you are almost guaranteed to get the scholarship, though official results come much later. Once you pass that screening, you could gamble and get only one Letter of Acceptance for the school you want to go to.
In that case, you would be almost certain of getting the scholarship and being placed in your desired university as early as September 2016. And, if you didn’t pass the Primary Screening, you could always fall back on the Special Program application as a backup plan.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you very much for your reply.
Thanks for your recommendation. I will take it into consideration as this is what I planned to do as well.
Sorry but I have another question for you here. I will put it in a scenario here.
I am from a life sciences background – more specifically virology and genomics. Let’s say during my application, for my research proposal, I plan to study on the molecular virology of the flu virus. Then I got accepted into a university and will enroll there. After enrollment, what if I want to change my research topic to something else or my supervisor wants to change my research topic? Maybe something like studying on the protein expression and vaccine development of flu virus. I mean, it still will be on the same subject matter, just a different approach. Is that allowable? Or is it that our research must stick to what is written in our research proposal?
Hope to receive your reply soon. Thank you very much! And keep up the great work!
Hi Benjy,
Sorry I did not meet the “soon” request. I have quite a backlog here and very little time to get to them.
I am not an expert in your field, but I do not think that would be a problem. As long as you have your supervisor’s agreement and your new research is similar enough that it’s with the same advisor and in the same lab, you should be fine. MEXT is primarily going to be concerned with whether you’re still enrolled in the same graduate school and course and that your graduation is not delayed. My understanding is that they leave the research decisions up to the university.
Good Luck!
-Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
Thank you very much for your reply! 🙂
Hello. . I read on http://www.jref.com that you will publish a guide about the MEXT Scholarship through University recommendation. I would be very indebted if you share your valuable experience. There is little information (in english) about that way of applying for the Scholarship.
Best Regards,
Tovar Emeterio
Hello Tovar,
Yes, I am working on the outline for that guide now! It’s going to be quite long, so it will probably come out in multiple articles so that I don’t make everyone wait until the end!
-Travis from TranSenz