Hello there. In this post, I will be talking about my experience in applying for the MEXT scholarship for undergraduate. (I didn't get it.)

The application actually takes almost a year to be completed. 

There are four stages.

First stage(this is either the easiest or the most difficult stage for you.) is the submission of the requirements. The requirements might differ from country to country, but below is the link of the requirements I submitted. 

MEXT Undergraduate Studies Procedure. 

Before submitting my documents, I tried to double check everything because the office will not call you and tell you you lack some of the documents.

After submitting, I have waited for like a week for the confirmation of my application. They say that they will only contact you if you have qualified for the first screening which is all based on your submitted documents.I have no idea what happens during the selection,how they choose the people who will pass, so I can't give much information.Luckily, they called  me for the written examinations!Yay! This is the e-mail that I got.

I got the e-mail, June 7 and the test will happen June 11. I've got approximately 4 days to study and prepare. Not to mention arrange my flight schedules.Four days to review for the biggest test of your life - easy? OF COURSE NOT! So, what happened is that I got help from our beloved Google and searched for past test questions just so I can have a better idea of what my enemy is. And here is what I got. Sample Test Questions for MEXT. After checking everything on this site, I realized something : THERE IS NO WAY I'M PASSING THIS EXAM. SCREW ME. The sample tests were way beyond my comprehension. (forget about Math) but then, at the end of the day, if I get lucky, I thought, the questions will be about things that I know. I was just hopeful.

I also got a fairly good information about the syllabus that the MEXT Exam follows here. MEXT Syllabus.

The day of the test came and I found myself in a hall full of students applying for the same scholarship that I want. There are almost a hundred or less who came. The test started and I just did my best to answer the questions. I took up, English,Japanese and Math. I'D LIKE TO MENTION AND IN CAPS, THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO PRODUCE ANY SURE ANSWERS ON THE MATH TEST. THANK YOU. I just tried to solve everything and wrote whatever the outcome of my solutions on the answer sheet. (though on some questions, I just picked out any number in the numeric system and wrote them down XD) As for the Japanese test, since I was studying Japanese since I was 5, I managed to answer many of the questions and just wrote anything random on the answer sheet for the questions I can't understand, let alone answer. But the proctor clearly said that to those without Japanese knowledge, it is okay to just leave everything blank and go away.

After the exam, and my 12 hour stay in the airport, I waited for the results of the exam. We were given a certain time frame which will tell us who goes to the next level and who's not. 7 days - if you get a call, congratulations, if not, goodbye.I was so sure, I did not pass, I can see it and feel it. However, a miracle happened and my phone began ringing inside the library with the caller ID Japan Embassy. At the moment, I knew what the lady on the phone will tell me, so I kinda had a hard time giving her my full attention. (that is because I was very busy being happy). She gave me instructions for the next stage which will be the interviews.

The Interviews
The questions they asked me were:

• Why do you want to study in Japan?
• What do you know about Japan?
• Have you been to Japan?
• Where do you want to study? Why?
• Can you live alone?
• Can you speak Japanese?
• Do you have a boyfriend? (I know that this sounds crazy. to the power of crazy.)

I was not actually scared of the interview because I have experienced different interviews in my whole High School life but if you have no experience on an interview, maybe a little tip from me won't hurt.

                  DO

As for the don'ts, just don't do the opposites of the do's.That's it. Well, as for me, the interview went well and after some time, they have e-mailed me and told me that I passed the interviews and had to wait for what- almost 3 months to get the results. This is the mail that i got.
The results came out and unfortunately, the international competition was so tough, I was not chosen to be one of their scholars. Though the embassy person told me to try again and again until I die? lol no until I get it, I somehow have doubts now on whether or not I should apply again. Maybe I should but not on the same program. I will apply for the master's course I guess.

To all of you who got the scholarship, CONGRATULATIONS and enjoy your stay in Japan. PLEASE do me a favor and don't waste the scholarship. There are a lot pf people out there who are willing to kill and die for the opportunity to study for free in a prestigious university in Japan. You guys are so lucky.