PhD Osaka University (OU) Entrance Examination 2020 (ONLINE)

I want to share how I took the entrance examination of OU for October 2020 enrollment. FYI, my targeted course in Architectural Engineering. So, maybe each program will be different.

Firstly, I fulfill all the documents application. Before that, I read the guidelines for the International Student Application October 2020 enrollment carefully. The documents consist:

1.    Application form.

2.    Statement of Purpose contains research topics, research background, research methods, research aims, and the reason why study in Japan and why choose OU and targeted laboratory.

3.    Academic Transcript of Master Degree (legalize).

4.    Graduation Certificate of Master Degree (legalize).

5.    Receipt of Application Fee Payment (30.000 Japanese yen + 660 Japanese yen). Totally 30.660 Japanese yen.

6.    Original TOEIC certificate (Even for Architectural Engineering is not necessary, but I enclose it).

All documents sent by EMS post to my supervisor because it must be signed by him and dean. Please remember the deadline for the application! The document will not be accepted if it has passed the deadline. Because I am living in Indonesia, it will be taken in around 5-8 days. So, I send it 10 days before the deadline.

Also remember, in pandemic now maybe it will take more time than before pandemic. I was worried about my documents because in EMS the status was not changed. In Jakarta 3 days, in Tokyo 3 days, and finally delivered in Osaka on the 8th day.

I asked my supervisor about the status of my document. I feel relieved when I know that my application was delivered to the Admission Office. Thank you Sensei! 

Secondly, I got an email from the supervisor that my documents were accepted and I was given an examination schedule. All the schedules are accordingly to the guidelines. The supervisor only provides additional information about what time it is. Anyway, Indonesia and Japan have time differences.

One week before the examination schedule. I was scheduled by the supervisor through a zoom meeting application to check the internet connection and video quality. The supervisor also told me about the kind of test and the test procedures. At that time was the first time for me to meet my supervisor, his associate, and his assistant. I was glad to meet them.

Thirdly, I took an examination in two days. On the first day, I did a written test. The question is just 5. Although in 1 question has 3 questions (but, we can choose just 2 questions). Each question must be answered with a minimum of 100 words (in English). But there is one question that must be answered 200 words. The written test took 3 hours. Along with the test, the supervisor and his assistant watch me. FYI, during the test, there should be nothing on the table except writing tools.

Two days after I had written test, I have to present my master thesis and did the interview. The audiences are the dean and all faculty members (around 15 people included my supervisor). This oral test holds in just 20 minutes.

Finally, I had send an email to my supervisor after I have an oral test. I asked him about my status. Because I realized that my oral test was not quite good. A day after the oral test, my supervisor reply to my email. The email state that the result of the examination will be announced at the OU website on 28 August 2020. But, my supervisor told me that I was not successful to pass the examination. He also told me that I must find another way to pursue my Ph.D. study.

I am feeling blue because my scholarship (Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation) will be canceled when I failed on examination. I also cannot learn from the great sensei. FYI, I was correspondence with my supervisor for 2 years. During our correspondence, I realized that he is a very kind, patient, smart, and polite person. I heard that many professors in Japan are rarely replying in email. But this was not happen to my supervisor. He always replies to my email even though he was busy.

But, the show must go on. I must achieve my aim to pursue Ph.D. study in Japan. I will find another university. I believe that no bad destiny. Every bad situation was caused by me. So I must improve myself (academic, language, publication, etc).  Hopefully one day I can meet again with my supervisor. Thank you so much sensei for our great meeting and assistance.

I still take a deep breath now. Maybe in April 2021, I will enroll in another university. Ganbatte!!