“It is important for you to let your examiner know who you are, what kind of person you are, and what makes you different.”

Hello everyone. I realize that it is that time of the year again where people start to apply for University. I remember how much time the application process took and how troublesome it was for me. But do not worry; as someone who has been through it, I have five tips for you to ease up the process which might even increase your chances of success.

#1 It’s All About Preparation

First and foremost, you should always check which document is necessary to apply to Nagoya University. This information is available on the Nagoya University G30 website for everyone (make sure you have the latest version of the admission requirement). Making a list is recommended to keep track on which document you already have in hand. Next, if your document is written in a language other than English you should check if it needs to be officially translated or not – most of the time they require you to translate the document. If it is an academic transcript, you might want to ask the one responsible for those to prepare it for you ahead of time.

#2 Do Not Postpone Anything

Submitting the documents on time is very crucial as you will never know when things could go wrong. Moreover, it will decrease the pressure that some of you might feel when applying to a university. Everything needs to be submitted before the deadline in Japan Time Zone (UTC +09:00) so keep your eye on the clock. Use your phone and such to keep track of time so you will not miss the deadline.

#3 Write something that only you can write in your essay.

When writing your application essay, first thing you need to do is to answer the question in your own way. Besides from the grades or score that you use to apply to Nagoya University, your essay is a very important factor. It is important for you to let your examiner know who you are, what kind of person you are, and what makes you different. Also, it is always a good idea to ask someone else such as your friend or teacher to proofread your essay. It takes time, but you want to write something only you can write while answering the question. Keep in mind, you still need to stay on topic and answer the question in the essay.

“Just be yourself and keep in mind how you want to be remembered by the interviewer.”

#4 English Proficiency and Interviews

Although it is not required for people who went through certain program before applying to Nagoya University, I would recommend you to do one of the tests. One of the main reasons is that English Proficiency Tests such as IELTS and TOEFL are very reliable to measure your English skills. Getting a good score on one of them could definitely increase your odds. As for the interview, just be yourself and keep in mind how you want to be remembered by the interviewer.

#5 Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help

This is getting long, don’t worry this is the last tip I could offer. I am sure there are many things that you must do to apply to a prestigious University. There might be some document that you are unsure how to submit them, or how to get them sorted correctly, when this thing happen, ask for help. Nobody is going to punish you for asking for help if it necessary, it is also a good means of communication with the other side. I sent a lot of email to the Admission Office during and before the application process with numerous questions.

I hope all five tips I had offered you for your application will be helpful for your preparation and application. I wish you luck with your application, please come and join the G30 family in Nagoya University. 

About Agustinus – Agustinus is from Indonesia and is currently a second year student of the Japan-in-Asia Cultural Studies.