MEXT or Waseda?

[twicethesin]

Hello, googling Monbugakusho got me this forum so I thought it'd be rather apt to ask a few questions, hopefully gaining some insight :)

I'm sixteen this year, and with next year comes the completion of the mandatory 12-years before I apply for a Japanese university.

I'm uncertain on which to go - trying for the Monbu scholarship, or trying to enter Waseda's SILS program...basically because I would like to pursue something in the Arts. Monbu's scholarship for undergraduates is only limited to Public Universities, which do not really offer much choice for something in the Arts sector.

I was wondering : would it be better for me to try their Professional Training College scholarship, or stay staunch in trying for their Undergraduate program? Or would it be better to go to Waseda's SILS program, and take up majors corresponding to my interest?

(Keeping in mind that Undergraduate programs for both has a high number of competitors - this year's Monbu sees over a hundred applicants and only less than five admitted...)

And just one more question - What grades would qualify you for Waseda's SILS program, if you're in it? I've heard that you have to be one of the elite before you're allowed in, if the admission to Singapore students are anything to go by...

Just as a quick reference, I took the following subjects in aiding me for a Monbu scholarship (before I found out about Waseda's SILS) and they are :

History, Knowledge and Inquiry (something like Theory of Knowlege/Philosophy), Theatre Studies and Drama, Literature in English, Mathematical Statistics/Pure Mathematics, Chinese

I'd probably be interested in Media, Journalism, Creative Writing, Theatre Studies, Drama, or Philosophy.

I'm sorry for the verbal vomit, and any help at all is very much appreciated. Thank you!

[nice gaijin]

To my knowledge, the SILS program does not have much to offer in any of the concentrations you mentioned. I took a traditional Japanese art class and started to take an art history class (but dropped it when I realized it was mostly material I already knew). You may have to look outside the SILS program if you want to seek those degrees at Waseda, which means your Japanese had better be up to par with the other Japanese students. Your best bet is to contact SILS directly and see what they say. You should also be able to find a class listing online as well.

[twicethesin]

To my knowledge, the SILS program does not have much to offer in any of the concentrations you mentioned. I took a traditional Japanese art class and started to take an art history class (but dropped it when I realized it was mostly material I already knew). You may have to look outside the SILS program if you want to seek those degrees at Waseda, which means your Japanese had better be up to par with the other Japanese students. Your best bet is to contact SILS directly and see what they say. You should also be able to find a class listing online as well.

I do know that the SILS program does offer Theatre Studies as an elective, so I was thinking that my major would probably have something to do with Philosophy - or perhaps Sociology, which I do know Waseda offers because I know somebody who is taking that this year, in October.

I did find a class listing online, but it was not very comprehensive (eg. I did not know Waseda offers Architecture until my friend told me) so I think I will contact them directly then! ;D

Thank you very much for the help :3

[twicethesin]

A little update - recently my school has offered us an exchange program with Waseda University, provided that we achieve a minimum grade. I think I'd try for that and use the chance to check out the university~

Anybody studying there atm?

[bapestar7]

I will be studying there in September. I have a bunch of friends in Japan that study at Keio and Waseda. What is your specific question?

[twicethesin]

bapestar : Awesome! Actually my question is simply : What school is better for pursuing a degree in the Arts - something like Theatre, Film, Journalism etc?

[bapestar7]

I would have to say Waseda. It is know for its Liberal Arts education. Many politicians have come from Waseda. Tokyo Univ. is pretty much a super school and is good at everything, but especially Business and the sciences. Keio is known for its business and politicians as well.