Recently, I had the honor to be interviewed by Khamida and Kayta, two amazing MEXT Scholarship winners, for their video podcast, Tokyo State of Mind. We talk about:
- What the MEXT Scholarship covers
- My background with the MEXT Scholarship and why I started this blog
- Common applicant mistakes
- Common points of confusion in the MEXT Scholarship application
- Common worries of MEXT scholarship applicants
- Khamida and Katya’s application experience and challenges
- The most common reason my university rejected requests of letters of acceptance
- Why MEXT asks for a Field of Study and Research Program Plan
- What MEXT wants from the scholarship and how you can use that
- What you need to focus on while applying during the COVID-19 pandemic
. . . and more!
I highly recommend it as a great place to start for anyone wanting to learn more about the scholarship!
Please let me know what you think of the video in the comments below.
Hello! Thank you for this video it is very helpful! I was wondering if there is a way to find past research proposals in order to make sure to not porpose the same research. Also, I am a business administration student majoring in finance and international businees. However, I would like to work in the management or marketing field and I was wondering if it is okay to not do a research proposal related to finance.
Hi Meriem,
Thank you for your feedback!
Unfortunately, I am not aware of any way to reliably find past research proposals. That was one of the most difficult parts of my research when I wrote my book How to Write a Scholarship-Winning Field of Study and Research Program Plan. After intensive searching, I was only able to find three plans that past applicants had shared online. Unfortunately, none were in business.
Certainly, there is no way I know of to find an exhaustive list to make sure that your research is original.
If your major included international business, then management and marketing should be related fields, so I see no reason why you would not be able to write a research proposal in those fields.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
When e-mailing professors who could potentially supervise our research do you recommend getting a conversation going with them first? Or is it best to be straightforward and simply tell them we’re interested in applying for MEXT, our FSRP is attached, and ask would they be our supervisor (in a more formal/polite way obviously but you get the jist)?
Thank you!
Hi Sara,
It depends on what stage of the application you are at. If you have already passed the Primary Screening and obtained the Passing Certificate of the Primary Screening, then you should be up front about applying for the MEXT Scholarship (although, in that case, be sure to follow the university’s guidelines for how to contact them to apply for a Letter of Acceptance – the university should have specific contact instructions).
However, if you aren’t in a position where you need to apply and obtain an answer right away, then I certainly recommend trying to build a natural relationship with professors as an interested student to start out.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hey Travis,
Thanks for clearing that up and replying so promptly! I’d been looking all over for that kind of advice!
I have another question I hope you don’t mind answering as well: I thought I saw somewhere that we have to have an N2 certificate if applying for the Research Student scholarship and I was wondering if that’s an absolute requirement (by the embassy and/or across all Japanese universities)?
If it is, and we don’t have it, what should/can be done? I was planning on taking the JLPT earlier in the summer but then it got cancelled due to the pandemic and I have no other formal certifications of Japanese language ability.
Thank you again for all you do with this blog!
Hi Sara,
You should only need an N2 JLPT if you are applying for a degree program taught in Japanese. If your program is taught in English, then there is no Japanese language requirement, at least not by MEXT. Your local embassy/consulate may give preference to applicants with Japanese language ability, though.
You should be able to apply just fine without the JLPT. You can self-evaluate your ability in the application form and in the interview, describe how your plans to take the JLPT this summer were spoiled.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi my name is Jacob Sake, I was currently form seven science at Selwyn college in Solomon Islands.I got a G.P.A of 3.8. on this first semister. I very interesting in the study of Bacheor Aviation next year but I have a problem of financial. Therefore I am now looking forward for any sponsor. Please let me know if you could help me on that.
Hi Jacob,
The MEXT Scholarship only covers studies in Japan, so you would need to be prepared to come to Japan for your degree.
I do now know of any Japanese universities that offer a bachelor’s degree in aviation, but it might be a subject that is covered at a Specialized Training College, instead. If you can find a program in Japan that teaches it, and if you find that it is a covered subject under the MEXT Scholarship type that you want to apply for, you can apply.
I would recommend that you read through the application guidelines for the different kinds of MEXT Scholarships (there should be information on the website of the Japanese embassy in your country) to learn what fields they cover and what the criteria are. Then look for appropriate programs in Japan for your studies.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
I want to have this scholarship i am at 12th right now please tell me sm more information and help me to pursue my dreams a honest request sir/mam
Hi Tiya Sharma,
My area of expertise is the scholarship for graduate students, which you would apply to during the final year of your bachelor’s degree.
However, there is a scholarship for undergraduate students. The best way to find information about that scholarship and the application procedures is to check the website of the Japanese embassy or consulate in your area. That website should have information about whether the scholarship is available in your country or not as well as how to apply. Depending on your country, there may still be time to apply this year for studies starting in April 2021.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz