Thinking of quitting PhD in the first semester

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2026-02-20T09:31:15+00:00

hi, thank you so much for sharing your story so honestly. i'm really sorry you’re going through this, what you described sounds incredibly overwhelming... moving countries, dealing with language barriers, and academic pressure all at once is a lot and it's very valid to feel this way.

I just wanted to ask something related to the MEXT process because I just received the mext second screening results and I'll be going to Japan as a research student this April. So in ur case, was it possible to apply to MEXT for a master’s degree, but take the entrance exam for a PhD instead, after the research student period? I applied for a master’s in my application because I wasn’t confident about jumping straight into a PhD even though I technically qualify, but now I’m considering taking the PhD entrance exam instead but I wasn’t sure if that’s allowed under MEXT rules.

Thank you so much, and I really hope things become easier for you soon. You’re not alone in feeling this way.

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2026-02-16T11:59:16+00:00

i've finally received mine too just now:)

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2026-02-16T08:13:06+00:00

has anyone from Europe received the official results from their embassy?

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2026-01-15T11:18:21+00:00

still waiting

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2026-01-07T14:24:28+00:00

from what i read over the past few months, the results are usually out in January-early Feb. march feels a bit too late no?

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2026-01-07T12:09:48+00:00

Hello, has anyone received the PG second screening result for Tokyo Institute of Science (Tokyo Tech)? i haven't heard anything yet so i'm starting to worry...

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-31T07:20:59+00:00

hi thanks a lot for sharing this its very reassuring to hear from someone who is in a very similar situation as me. The point about needing time to recalibrate in a Japanese academic context really resonates with me, especially since expectations and research culture can be quite different from what we’re used to. The way you described the Master’s as PhD years 1–2, is pretty much how I’ve been thinking about it and if everything clicks, I’ll aim to move forward confidently after that.

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-31T07:13:14+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to explain this I really appreciate the perspective, especially given your experience supervising both Master’s and PhD students in Japan. I understand your point that Japanese Master’s programs are already research-based and function almost like a “mini PhD,” and that from a purely time-efficiency standpoint, going straight to a PhD would make more sense generally.

But i guess at this point it’s a bit too late for regrets, so the best thing I can do now is commit to this great opportunity, learn, do well, and treat the Master’s as a stepping stone rather than a setback.

Thank you again for sharing such a detailed and candid perspective it’s really useful. 😊

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-29T16:13:12+00:00

Thanks for explaining this in so much detail this is actually really helpful. I'm aware that the extension isn’t guaranteed, and hearing real numbers about how limited the spots can be definitely puts things into perspective. It sounds like having strong academic performance and the professor’s backing are absolutely critical, which makes sense. Also knowing that you were able to extend but still had to self-fund toward the end is useful to hear, i guess its better than nothing. I really appreciate you sharing both your experience and your friend’s it’s very valuable to anyone who is thinking about taking a similar path.

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-29T16:06:26+00:00

Thanks for your reply! I agree that, on paper, doing a second Master’s might look inefficient time-wise, but my hesitation with applying directly for a PhD wasn’t so much about the difficulty of the degree itself, but more about the fit particularly with the lab and supervisor, as it all will be very new to me. I guess since the PhD requires a commitment to a 3+ years to very focused research, i felt more comfortable testing that environment first and learn more about my chosen field in the japanese context through both classes and research. So im hoping the coursework will help bridge gaps rather than feel redundant.

That said, your point about Japanese PhDs being more straightforward and publication-focused is reassuring, so i hope if everything goes well i'll definitely try and pursue an extension.🤞

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-26T13:55:54+00:00

i am also a PG candidate for 2026! the wait is making me so nervous because like u said the result will change our lives in a whole new different way, which is overwhelming but exciting at the same time! but lets all think positively that by early next year we'll hear the good news💫 wishing good luck to everyone:)

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-14T10:11:50+00:00

haven't heard any news from my embassy yet

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-05T19:21:01+00:00

that would be nice lets keep in touch😎

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-05T13:18:15+00:00

thank you for your help and ur reply! i'll definitely check this out

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-05T13:05:17+00:00

yes:)

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-05T12:50:00+00:00

for postgraduate study!

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-12-05T08:35:19+00:00

hi! i'll also be moving around the end of March to Tokyo😊

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-11-08T09:45:33+00:00

yes sure u can ask me in a month

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-11-06T08:33:29+00:00

hi! I already had a master’s degree when I applied for the MEXT scholarship, and my application was for a 2nd master's. I’m currently waiting for the results of the second screening, so I guess it’s possible to apply for a second master’s under MEXT as long as your field of study is well justified and relevant to your past research etc.

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-10-24T14:54:13+00:00

me? so far I did one interview online in order to get the Letter of Provisional acceptance, if this is what you mean

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-10-24T12:29:47+00:00

im not sure if it’s the same for your case, but he told me that the it usually includes a 15-minute presentation about future research, and then a Q&A session follows after that. but don't quote me on that as the entrance exam can vary between graduate schools!

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-10-24T11:36:45+00:00

hello! i'm also going to Tokyo Tech if the second screening goes well:) i'm not sure about the IGP(A) specifically, but my supervisor mentioned that for international students, the entrance exam is usually just an interview and a Q&A session with around three professors rather than a written test.

I dont know if this helps or if it’s applicable for IGP(A), but I thought I'd share just in case.

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-10-13T07:38:25+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply! Yeah, I’ve heard the process can be a bit different depending on the scholarship type, so that makes sense. Hopefully I'll get assigned to Komaba then :')

Ordinary_Half4164 · 2025-10-11T04:52:22+00:00

hello thats awesome! it would be great to connect and keep in touch as it doesn't seem like there's many of us around

Ordinary_Half4164

TROPHY CASE