Universities

Hello.
I'm 21 years old student of chemistry (bachelor's degree) and I'm interested in studying of chemistry at japanese university. My japanese language skill is beginner, but I would like to apply to english only master program in chemistry (and to learn japanese during my staying in Japan).
Universities I am thinking about are 1.Tohoku University and 2.Kyushu University.
I appreciated any information about them what you can give me such as difficulty of entrance exams, what do you think about these universities, cities where these lies in and so on...
Why? I am interested in Japan, still young to be able to travel, I would like to spend a long time in Japan (maybe live there), my uni doesn't have any exchange program (and it's only for one year period), ...

Thank you very much in advance, I hope you can help me because I am already lost.

VicoS,

My name is Mayumi and I am the Assistant Director, Microbiology & Immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine (USA). I shall reinforce your understanding about entry to the grad school and doctoral program.

(1) Overall academic achievements & participation in research, (2) Grad School exam scores, (3) Internship with? (4) Department recommendations, (5) Fluency in Japanese (proficient), and (6) The international reputations of the professor recommending you to Japan for Grad School.

University(s) you are considering are both top 10 in Japan and top 200 in the world. Ranking of universities are biased, nonetheless help in guiding you. Tohoku is ranked #4 and Kyushu is #7 in Japan (Thompson Reuters).

mbeppu:

Thank you very much, you have pretty expanded my understanding of situation and I am really impressed because Stanford University is well known in my country.

I have been studying only second year at my university. Next year I'm graduating (2011 - third year of my bachelor's study). But I have already begun with my bachelor's thesis. Perhaps I should write what's my major first. I'm interested in biochemistry, my thesis is from imunochemistry. Moreover I'm very interested in medical biochemistry (and neurochemistry, and so on), high school that I graduated (full marks) was pharmaceutical chemistry and chemistry technology.

So my only participation in research will be two years of imunochemistry when I graduate. About recommendation I already know, their websites say to send at least two letters of recommendation, head of my laboratory will send one (I think he's quite well known at least in europe), second one is in progress (matter of which laboratory i will get a feedback from - supervisor).

Maybe I'll apply to another one just to higher the chance of getting in. I was considering Sophia university as well (but at first I have to search their websites because of entrance exams - language :-)).

Thanks again, I appreciate any other advice.

if you are a beginner in japanese you should absolutely forget about studying chemistry here in japanese.

it will be 100% impossible to succeed. you need high level japanese skills (jlpt 1 + more kanji which are not in the jlpt tests).

chemicals and chemical reactions have different names than in english and often use obscure kanji that the general japanese public don't even know.

you might consider studying at temple which as far as i know, has an english chemistry class but only the basics (chem 100/101 if i remember correctly)

VicoS,

Is your dream in research? Will that be in the university/institute/or private company?.. Why Japan – why not Europe? – why not USA?.. Do not answer, simply consider.

You have a dream, but, your road map is incomplete… You will have a better idea in 6 to 10 years from today – bachelor/master/maybe MD, and certainly Ph.D are the MINIMUM qualifications.

Simply, going to Japan for graduate program will not serve your future career, but hinder/impede. You can assert the claim of, “I will be fluent in Japanese in 2 years” but such a claim is just boasting. Your Japanese abilities must be equal or better than entering Japanese graduate students. Grad School does not cater to the wealthy nor allow worthless university graduate with only the passing grades. Only the academic elites! Same in Japan – Europe – USA!

Moreover, in the private industry, Japan does not have a single company in your chosen field that is the world leader in innovative medical products! All are in Europe, except Genentech in South San Francisco (now a subsidiary of European Company).

You must position yourself to be RECRUITED by the industry leaders rather than looking to be hired!!

If you are recruited by the Japan university or the research institute, you will have 1 BIG advantage as a foreigner in Japan. Automatic qualification for the permanent residency (same in USA).

So, let me tell you a story that may inspire you. My cousin from the island of Kyushu, graduated from Kyoto U, medical degree from Kyoto U, and Ph.D from Kagoshima U (Kyushu), and a fellowship from the Japan Cancer Institute,,, who recruited him to USA? I tried earnest to recruit him to Stanford. He chose the World #1, Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital.

Maybe, one day, I can recruit you to Stanford.

Good luck, MBeppu

http://www.themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/
http://www.neurochemistry.org/
http://www.grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-sc...
http://www.4icu.org/topEurope/
http://www.newscientistjobs.com/jobs/browse/biology_biochemistry-europ...
http://www.welovelmc.com/jobs/biochemistry.htm
http://www.internabroad.com/search/biochemistryhttp://www.independent....
http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/az-degrees/bioche...

Hello, it took me a long time to answer, I was a few days without any internet connection.

At first thank you for your last post, and thanks to the one man's post above as well.

Actually I was considering british (UK) and US universities too. And now I'm thinking only about these two countries (except Czech Republic where I am from), but I'm a bit confused of their degree system (I'm now working on understanding of diffrents of degrees - master degree research, and so on - and looking for a good university).

You've helped me a lot in my decision.