Quote:
Originally Posted by Columbine
I don't have any personal experience with Tokyo U. but considering their exchange program also likely includes applicants from Oxford U. Cambridge U., Harvard and Yale, you're going to be facing some very stiff competition for a place there.
It's reputedly much much harder to exchange there than other top universities like Waseda, so with all due respect, consider your backups carefully in case it doesn't work out. Studying -somewhere- in Japan is better than nowhere. Unfortunately, not having top grades might well be the critera that tips the balance out of your favour.
Anyway, it sounds like you can back up your grades with other things. Use your experience as society president to demonstrate a serious interest in international relationships- really set out a serious 'intent of purpose'; why you want to study in Japan, what you intend to take on from the experience to your further career and studies, why japan and Todai are specifically important to this. A simple "I really love Japan" or 'Todai's the best!" probably isn't going to be enough here, which i'm sure you already appreciate.
Demonstrate what you can contribute to the program. Might be worth brushing up on modern Japanese diplomatic relations. Is there anything in Tokyo like San. Fran.s (?) Japan day, where they have an event to celebrate the anniversary of the Tokugawa delegation? Does Todai have a Chinese society? Or a Canada society?
Prove that even though you don't have a 4.0 average, you are a committed and good student. I didn't get a JASSO because I was top of my class; I got it because I was there at every single lesson, i gave thoughtful contributions in class and I faithfully did my homework on time. Get your teachers on your side and set yourself deadlines for the application. If they're aware your goal is Todai and you're really serious about it, they might help swing things in your favor. Or give you a chance to get extra credit.
Anyway, good luck. I hope someone else can give you more detailed information! Haven't you got any sempai who went on the same exchange? Maybe ask your teachers or the head of the exchange program and see if they'll put you in touch with such students.
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Surprisingly those schools you listed are not in their partner institutions list:
-AIKOM- ONE YEAR STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM
At my school we are only allowed to apply to 2 universities each year. So that leaves me with only 1 backup...
Good point about getting the teacher on my side! I'll talk to her today ^^
and ya.. I've been trying to "stalk" some sempai on facebook lol
--- edit ---
I've spoken with my Japanese teacher about the exchange program today.
She said the trick with getting a spot is to chose your school based on your GPA...
From what she said, it seems GPA is the only thing that really matters.
I guess that leaves Toudai out of the question for me...
But I'm not gonna give up yet. I'll try to contact the person in charge of the exchange program and see what she says.