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.
Hi Travis, how are you?
First of all, thank you so much for your blog, I found your blog one week ago and I’ve been learning a lot of things about Mext scholarship and about japan, it was very constructive.
I’m Laura from Brazil, I am in the second year of high school and I want to apply to graduate as soon as I finish high school, I’ve been searching and studying for the test for almost one year and I know the basics of Japanese Language. Unfortunately, I’m very lost about how to *study* and which *area* should I apply to…
I don’t know anybody that applies for Mext scholarship before and I don’t know somebody to talk about it, so I hope you can help me.
Thank you so much!
Have a great week.
Hi Laura,
I’m afraid my area of expertise is in the scholarship for graduate students, so I do not have direct experience with the undergraduate application process details. But in general, before you think about your application, you should consider what it is that you want to do in life and how a university degree in Japan will help you accomplish your goals.
When you apply, you will need to be able to make a strong case about a field where you want to make a difference in the world and explain how your chosen field of study will enable you to make that difference. So, I would suggest that is your first step in deciding what you want to study.
Once you have a goal in mind, then you can move on to considering what field of study will get you there.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis,
I just bought your book on How to Write a Scholarship-Winning Field of Study and Research Program Plan. I’ve also downloaded and printed the bonus worksheets. I am really grateful that you are here to guide us and help us maximize our potential to get the MEXT scholarship.
I’m planning to apply for the Embassy-recommended Graduate scholarship next year. I graduated with a degree in Broadcasting seven years ago and obviously, it is related to Mass Communication. I know that it’s possible for me to get into any media and communications-related graduate course.
However, I’m currently working as a freelance professional focusing on e-commerce, B2C & B2B customer support, and digital marketing. I know that my current job is not closely related to my undergraduate degree, but, I’m really interested in studying and researching crisis communication and emergency broadcasting to disseminate critical information in the event of disasters and emergencies since my country, the Philippines, is prone to natural disasters.
Do you think I still have a chance against those who are working in fields closely related to their undergraduate degrees?
Hi Arlene,
As long as your master’s degree and research proposal in Japan are related to your undergraduate degree, I do not think that working in a different field in the meantime necessarily disadvantages you. You can emphasize the parts of your job that are related to your research and, if possible, mention anything about your current job that drove your research interest, but other than that, you do not really need to mention your work in the FSRPP if it doesn’t directly relate.
Do be prepared to address it during the interview, but if you do it well, you should be able to use it to your advantage!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Dear Travis
I have being following your blog for quite a while now and it has been way more helpful than any other resources out there for MEXT applicants.
Here is my question: if my graduation would due on date 20th January (2022), will I be eligible for the next emabassy-recommended MEXT (2021/2022)?
Considering the fact that I am planning to arrive in Japan in September (rather than April), would that graduation date be acceptable for the embassy?
Again, thanks a lot for all the help that you provide us with.
Hi Shaghayegh,
Thank you very much for your kind words! I am glad that this has been a useful resource for you.
For your graduation timing, as long as you graduate from your current degree before you will start your MEXT Scholarship, you are eligible to apply. So, if you are graduating in January 2022, you would be able to apply for the 2021/2022 application cycle (which should begin in April/May 2021). You would even be able to arrive in April 2022, if you wanted!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hi Travis, My name is Mike,
First, I would like to thank you for our help and for this valuable information.
I would like to ask you two questions about this scholarship.
I applied for the embassy scholarship and unfortunately, they did not contact me and I did not qualify for the second stage. Can I apply for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship 2021?
What programs are available to apply in 2021 with University Recommended scholarship, I searched a lot and found these programs https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/koutou/ryugaku/kokuhi/tokubetu/07032702.htm. is this what I’m looking for.
thanks a lot.
Mike Shawn
What programs are available to apply in 2021 with University Recommended scholarship (PGP programs)?
Hi Mike Shawn,
I am sorry to hear that your Embassy Recommended MEXT Scholarship application was not successful. However, since that application is no longer active, you are eligible to apply for the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship this year.
There is no limitation on the programs that you can apply to via the University Recommended MEXT Scholarship, except for any limitations imposed by the university. Under the “general category”, universities are able to nominate applicants for the scholarship in any program.
The link you listed is a list of “Priority Graduate Programs” from 2006. PGP are selected by MEXT for three years and assigned a specific number of slots, which you can see in that chart. Since that single program has a specific number of slots, which is often higher than the total number of “general category” slots that the university has as a whole, applying in a PGP gives you a much higher chance of success! However, the list you linked, being from 2006, is no longer valid.
At this time, the programs selected in 2018 and 2019 are still valid and MEXT is currently calling for universities to apply for new program approvals for 2020.
You can find the list of programs selected in 2018 and 2019 at the links below:
2018 PGP Programs
2019 PGP Programs
Keep in mind that the programs may have specific eligibility requirements, so there is a possibility that you might not be able to apply for all of them, but at least that should be a place to start your search!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello!
I am planning in applying for the MEXT scholarship this year.
Last semester I was on exchange program in Japan. So I was wondering if this could be a plus in my application, or maybe they would prioritize people who never went to Japan?
Also, I did take a course in Japanese B1, however my Japanese is still very limited (I know all Hiraganas and can introduce myself , but not able to communicate). Do you think that the fact I was in Japan for 6 months would require me to have some good knowledge in the langage?
Thank you so much!
Hi Meriem,
Simply having participated in an exchange in Japan is not going to give you a significant advantage by itself. What is more important is how you used that experience and how you can link it to your research. If you made connections with faculty in Japan and participated in their research during your exchange, that could be an advantage in your application, but if you spent your time touring around the country or hanging out with other exchange students and have nothing to show for it (I’m not saying you did, but this is pretty common among exchange students), then just having been in Japan won’t provide a significant boost.
It can help when the reviewers ask about how you’ll adapt to life in Japan, but I don’t think it will be enough on its own to give you a boost over other applicants.
As for your language ability, I would expect to see a little more after a semester in Japan, and your reviewers might anticipate the same. But if you have at least continued your studies after returning from the exchange, that would show continued interest and effort, which would work in your favor!
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
Hello Travis!
In your video, I noticed that you said “so far I haven’t heard of any embassy skipping in-person tests or interviews.”
I would like to tell you of my experience to the contrary. I had my interview this week, and it was conducted entirely virtually via Microsoft Teams. Furthermore, there will be no in-person Japanese evaluation test. I was merely asked a few questions in Japanese near the end of the interview (self-introduction, what cultural activities I want to do in Japan).
I am a native English speaker from the US, so maybe that is why it is okay to skip test-taking altogether, since I don’t have to take the English language test.
I just thought you would find this interesting to hear about.
Hi Eva,
Thank you very much for your message!
We filmed that interview in late July, so some of the comments I made are out of date, I’m afraid. I have since heard of a few countries cancelling the in-person tests and holding interviews remotely, but each new piece of information helps, so I appreciate you sharing your experience very much!
Thank you again.
Good Luck!
– Travis from TranSenz
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 again Travis!
Thanks for taking the time to answer all our questions!
I hope you don’t mind but I had an additional question: I’ve been e-mailing professors in Japan but have been getting hardly any replies, and those that do reply simply tell me to reach out to someone else. I’ve read your articles here about contacting professors, and have your 2nd book on the MEXT scholarship, but was wondering if you had any additional advice?
My old university advisor has not been very helpful, and no one at my university seems to have any professional connections in Japan so it’s been kind of rough. Do you have any advice for someone who can’t find a personal connection to a professor over there (i.e. doesn’t know someone in their home country or at all who can connect them personally to a professor in Japan)?
Thank you again! Also, do you have any sort of time frame for when your other books will be released? I found the 2nd one incredibly helpful as someone who’s never attempted original research before!
Hi Sara,
It all depends on where you are in the application process. If you haven’t yet passed the Primary Screening, this is not yet the time to contact professors to ask them to supervise you. If you have passed the primary screening, make sure that you are contacting the professors in accordance with the university’s instructions (if they even want you to contact professors directly in the first place),
My advice about going through connections was based on the idea that you would be contacting professors long before the application process started in order to start building a relationship. Since you don’t have time for that now and are at the point that you just need the Letter of Acceptance, my best advice is to make sure you are following the instructions from the university about applying.
Regarding the other books (it sounds like the third one would be helpful right now), I had gotten involved in another project that has been taking up my time in the short term, but once that is done, I will look at going back to the Mastering the MEXT Scholarship series. It’s just a matter of arranging the time.
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