Inquiry sheet says I cannot expand the frame, but the specified number of words do not fit within the frame. Still am I not allowed to expand the frame?
No. Use the exact layout we provide. If the specified number of words do not fit within the given frame, please use smaller fonts.
The form of Inquiry Sheet is too small. Can I write more words then specified?
You must not write more words then specified. More words imply that you do not have skills for making long paragraphs compact.
What symbol can I use for check box, circle or tick?
Any symbol will do, as long as we can understand it.
Please note that you need to write numbers (instead of circle or tick) to show the priority for the laboratories of your choice.
How can I cite literatures in Inquiry Sheet? Is there any specific citation style I should follow?
No specific style. Please cite in a way you think is appropriate. Make sure that your text fits in the frame.
How do I cite literatures? Should use direct citation, or indirect citation?
Describe it in any way you think is appropriate.
Can I ask the prospective supervisor to check if my description sounds right? If not, can I ask that to other staff or students?
No. Professors, staff, and students are not allowed to proofread/improve your Inquiry Sheet. The violation of the rule may result in disqualification.
Can I use letters of smaller fonts than the specified size (10 to 11 pt)?
In the case that you cannot make the specified number of words fit in the frame, please use smaller fonts. Nevertheless, you cannot use more words than the specified in the form.
I've got a letter from the only lab I choose, and the professor of the lab says they accept me. Why on earth do I still need to indicate laboratories of my second or third choices?
If you apply to MS Group or CB Group (not MI course), please never miss to indicate the second/third labs you choose in Inquiry Sheet. You would lose some right you ought to have if you miss to do that, although you would never lose anything if you do so.
We first determine whether we accept you or not based on the exam scores (not based on the primary lab you chose), and then determine which lab you belong to. This implies that there is a possibility that you pass the exams but you cannot join the lab you choose for some reason (e.g., the lab capacity exceeded). Omitting choosing the second/third labs will lead to your being dispatched to a random lab, which we believe is not what you want normally.
I am told I have to choose multiple labs I wish to join. Which lab is easier (or harder) to get accepted?
We accept students based on the exam scores, which are independent on the labs you choose. So which lab you choose does not affect to whether you pass or not.
We first determine if we accept an applicant or not, and then determine which lab they belong to after enrollment.
What is the difference between April enrollment and October enrollment?
Students enrolling in April will enter the school in April, and students enrolling in October will enter the school in October. The expected completion date also depends on the enrollment period.
You have to declare the entrance month at the time of application. It is not possible to change the enrollment period after the date of the oral examinations. In addition, you must meet the admission requirements at the time of admission.
We believe that there is no significant difference between April and October enrollment, but for the convenience of prospective students, the differences that come to our mind are as follows:
- The University of Tokyo does not deliberately set any systematic differences between April and October enrollment.
- However, Japanese schools, from kindergarten to university, basically start the academic year in April. For this reason, students everywhere in Japan are anticipated by (the society) to enter school in April. There may be various direct or indirect disadvantages and benefits arising from this.
- In our department, elementary lectures tend to be offered in the semester starting in April and more advanced lectures in the semester starting in October. Students who enroll in October may need to wait 6 months if they want to take certain elementary courses.
- Graduation ceremonies in March might look more lavish because of the larger number of students enrolled in April; graduation ceremonies in September may look simpler and less lavish. Similarly, the April entrance ceremony might look more lavish.
- The end of March is moving season in Japan, and rents are higher; you may be able to find better housing at the end of September. This may be an advantage of October enrollment.
- Let's talk about the case when you want to find a job in Japan after completing the program. In the job market for new graduates in Japan, many companies are recruiting with the anticipation that they will join a company in April. We see some international students who entered a master's course in October extend their stay at school for six months and to join a company in April. Students in the doctoral course usually find it difficult to control the timing of acceptance of doctoral thesis, so it is not always possible to complete the program at the targeted date and time, so we have the impression that fewer students intentionally try to extend their stay at UTokyo.
- Getting a student visa in a timely manner is becoming more and more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Having six months before your enrollment after you pass the entrance exam will give you more time to prepare for living in Japan and makes it easier to be in Japan right on the very first day of the first semester. In the case of Schedule A (summer exam), students residing abroad as of the examination date will not be admitted in October.
Is there a difference in the difficulty for entrance exams for April and October enrollment?
No. We do not consider the timing of enrollment when we decide acceptance.
