HOW I GOT INTO A JAPANESE UNIVERSITY | keio, waseda, sophia | gpa, sat, ECs, portfolio, rec letters

[@yo2trader539]

I think among Japanese society, Tokyo University (東大) and Kyoto University (京大) are recognized as the best universities, and will be perceived one rank above any other university in Japan, including elite private universities such as KEIO or WASEDA. Their social prestige dates back to the "旧七帝大" or the "Former Seven Imperial Universities," which were established in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, Tohoku, Hokkaido, and Kyushu. All 7 of those universities still have excellent reputation, and most of the science Nobel laureates from Japan have studied or teaches in one of those schools. (FYI, the Imperial Universities established in Seoul became Seoul National, and the one in Taipei became Taipei National after their independence.) Government/national universities such as HITOTSUBASHI University (一橋大学), KOBE University (神戸大学), and TSUKUBA University (筑波大学) also have excellent reputation and good job opportunities. 東京外語大学 (TUFS) is also an unique government institution that focuses on (less common) foreign languages and regional studies, and it produces many diplomats and businessmen as well. YOKOHAMA has both a Yokohama National and Yokohama City universities that is well known in Tokyo region. But the difficult thing is the ranking/reputation highly depends on the department or discipline. Medical departments, science departments, legal departments, literature departments, etc will have their own ranking. So overall university ranking doesn't mean too much. Private universities in the Tokyo/Kanto region that are perceived one rank below KEIO and WASEDA used to be referred to as MARCH (MEIJI, AOYAMA, RIKKYO, CHUO, and HOSEI University). In the KANSAI region both KWANSEI GAUKUIN (関西学院) and RITSUMEIKAN (立命館) are considered top private universities. Jochi University (aka SOFIA) and ICU has always had a unique positioning. They accept many returnees and international school kids...which is both a strength and a weakness when it comes to job hunting in Japan. Temple is a relatively new school, so I don't know much about their reputation when it comes to hiring.

[@KannaNishimura]

Hi! I am applying pearl as 帰国生 from the states as Japanese and ur video really helped! If you don’t mind, I want to know what you wrote in ur essay

[@methylmercury]

Good luck kid, don't know why you abstain from studying in Japanese, it takes 1 year to learn a language to fluency level, 6 hours a day studying daily. It's what I did anyway. But I grow vegetables on a farm in Japan instead. Universities are so boring, unless you major in medical research or something similar, which I'm way too stupid to pass the exams for.

[@developermindset-b9w]

Yoh 💀😭😭😭

[@JamesVincex]

So basically in summery you were a straight A student and took a bunch of extra curriculars then you packaged it well.

[@minmins7493]

oh!! i’m a senior at caj rn!! wish me luck for applications this winter😭

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

omg i wish you the best of luck!!😭 feel free to DM me if you have any questions

[@jaylee5993]

Hey! I have a quick question about the Keio University application. I have done 5 APs (5 for AP calculus BC, AP Physics 1, AP micro & macro and 4 for AP biology). As I think these APs are my strenghts, I definietly want to include this in my application. However, there are no separate page that allow applicants to allow. Same for extracurricular activities too. Where should I put these information? There is one section called "optional material" but I am not sure if I am allowed to upload those stuff in here and how to arrange those. Also, although my SAT score is 1510 my toefl score is 97. Will this make me in difficult situation to get in? I also have 3.9 unweighted GPA! Thank you so much always for helpful videos!!!

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

i would put them in the optional material and i did by organizing them in Google Slides. good luck!!

[@naur390]

Hi! I really love this video, and I hope its not too late in asking this, but did you somehow include your high school extra-curriculars and achievements in your Sophia University application? They don't have that in the list of required materials to send out, but I don't know like what if that's still important to your application? Thanks!!

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

hi sorry for the late relply! it's been 2-3 years so I do not remember specifically, but I think I included in my essay! (I focused on ONE activity tho)

[@rnklklkio]

what if i have low GPA, it's my dream to get into med school or even my dream uni but my GPA is too low :(

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

hello! i am sure GPA is not the only thing that colleges will consider. my college guidance back in HS once told me that it is always better to show "improvement". or you can always try to invest your time in other aspects such as SAT, extracurriculars, essays, etc. i wish you the best of luck! you've got this!

[@신의진-u3x]

congratulations! I hope you have a great time in Keio. I am a 4year student in Keio University from Korea, I agree it's easier to enter a good companies in Japan and keio is quite good university although i and my friends always complain about the Mita campus(there are only izakaya near). PEARL students are the most genius students I guess, so I envy you haha😂 have a good time in keio😊

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

aw thank you so much for your comment! I hope you enjoy your 4th year at keio as well‼️

[@ciscaacaca]

Hi! is it possible to send other standarized test other that SAT,ACT or IB? i was checking the document requirements and those 3 were the only accepted one but i only have alevels... tried asking through their email but theh havent respond in 4 days

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

ah I am not too sure... hope you got their email..!

[@arc5161]

Thanks so much for this! I'll also be applying this year as an intl. student. I'm curious, what did you mention in your essay/statement letter? What was the general topic? - Is it more about your major and why you chose it, or why you want to study at the school. - Also, is it more like "emotional" essays they write for American universities, or more like straight foreword and direct? thanks in advance!

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

Hi! I talked about what made me interested in economics and business and connected it with the business projects I did in my HS. I also mentioned my study plans for the next four years at Keio. I think Japanese unis’ essays have to be more straightforward and concise, unlike the essays for american colleges!

[@imuhanii]

안녕하세용!! 일본에서 국제학교 다니고있고, 이번에 게이오 펄 지원하는 시니어입니다!! 공부하기 싫을때마다 자극받을려고 보고있어용!! :)) 꼭 선후배로 뵈고 싶습니다 ☺☺ 항상 재미있는 영상 올려주셔서 감사해요 🥺💞

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

화이팅!! 응원해요!! 🥺💖

[@randomdayo4845]

Hello, thank you for your helpful video!!! I’m a bit confused about portfolio, which school(s) did you use it for and is it different from essay, presentation, and video??

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

I mainly made portfolio for keio in a google slides pdf format!

[@우진조-t8s]

Great video! I am hoping to apply for Waseda, but my APs are quite weak. Do you think AP matters a lot?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

im not sure if my APs were “enough” but they definitely helped me in my first and second years!

[@FizaMemon-z3i]

Hi! Im from Pakistan, currently im studying Bs environmental science. May you pls make a video on career opportunities for Masters in japan ?

[@ninachen5948]

hi! when you submitted your SAT scores, do you remember if you had to submit all of ur past scores or just your best one?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

Hey! I just submitted my best one for PEARL, but I accidentally submitted everything for GIGA. But it did not affect much :)

[@wv2903]

Hi, may i ask if it is hard for a foreigner to apply to keio university with english program because i am planning to study there thank youuuuuu

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

hiii! a lot of foreigners come here and study~ i wish you the best luck!

[@wv2903]

Do you know the files i need, its kinda hard to understand what i need since im not fluent in japanese

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

@@wv2903 i did mine in 2023, so my information or data may not be 100% accurate. i recommend you to check out the eng guide book that keio provides!

[@rormeow4415]

I love your video! So informative, but if there is one thing I would like to know, it’s whether you had an interview for waseda. And if so, what kind of questions did they ask you? Were they difficult?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

hi! no, i didn’t have an interview for waseda~

[@loripartridge1437]

Hi !! I am applying to giga for October 2025. I want to know if it's hard to get into giga and get mext scholarship?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

Hmmmm, I think it really depends on your ‘passion’ and ‘what you did during your 4 years of high school.’ If your experiences align with what colleges are looking for, I’m sure GIGA shouldn’t be too challenging. As for the scholarship, I don’t have much information, so you might want to research it. Sorry!

[@neeschiato]

Hello! Do you have any tips for students that haven’t done a lot of extra curriculums? Will that affect the rate of acceptance? This is such a great video btw! :))

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

hi! a friend of mine who did fewer extracurricular activities had a higher sat score than mine! so, test scores might replace extracurriculars. (just my opinion!)

[@neeschiato]

@@sojin_in_tokyo thank you! I've just now realized that I barely did any extra curriculums so I'm a bit worried.

[@ing4633]

Hi! Thank you so much for making this video. I've always wanted to attend Japanese universities since I was young. I have a question about the portfolio part though. Do you actually have to make an entire booklet or do you just upload like your certificates and such in the application system?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

I used google slides to make my portfolio! I attached my awards and certificates, etc.

[@whoosh1220]

Is a portfolio required? Or is there a place to attach additional information?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

@@whoosh1220 it’s not required but it is definitely better to submit the portfolio to increase the chance!

[@Diyaheree]

Hii loved your video❤ could you please tell me what are the requirements of Sophia university and as a Bangladeshi student can I apply?( Undergrad) English medium I have completed my HSC aka (A level)

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

heyy thanks for watching my vid! you might want to check out this year’s sophia application procedure booklet!! adm.sophia.ac.jp/eng/admissions/ug_p/en_ug/fla/w_h/

[@Diyaheree]

@sojin_in_tokyo thanks a lot for the info... But can I apply ? Undergrad cuz I passed 12 but not a levels hsc I'm super confused 😕😕

[@hahahaha5676]

I heard that if you want to study in Japan, need to go in Japan and pass their "Entry" exam for the Uni like the students there and that test will determine your level. Is that mandatory ? cuz i don't think you mentioned it in your video... :)

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

hi! that’s for japanese students who went to japanese highschool. this process is for international students!

[@hahahaha5676]

@@sojin_in_tokyo thx for the answer :)

[@K2GamesPlayz]

are you from CAJ?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

yeah!

[@callista3881]

hi! if u don't mind.. What was your SAT score?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

it’s in the video!

[@loripartridge1437]

Hi i would like to know if i can apply to keio pearl with eju .

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

I did not apply keio with eju, so i am not sure :(

[@YourFriend-u2c]

Hello Im from France, how much this university?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

hi! around 1,170,000 yen per year

[@YourFriend-u2c]

@@sojin_in_tokyo thank you for answering

[@lingbi1390]

Hi Sojin Kim! Love watching your videos and really like what you shared this time, those are inspiring advices and information that I am looking for. Can you share more about your experience and enviroment in Keio uni? Also what major do you think are good for Keio and Waseda? I kinda consider between that two. Thank you for your sharing and looking forward to your replies^^

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

hi thanks for watching! yeah i would love to talk more about my keio experience with my college friends! please stay tuned :-) keio only has two majors (GIGA and PEARL) in terms of English program while waseda offers more options. i did hear that waseda’s PSE major is quite popular so you might want to research more about it!

[@katelynss8495]

Was the GPA Weighted or Unweighted?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

both of them are listed!

[@jagason7494]

damn i didnt even consider going to a Japanese university too late now tho but i can exchange for maybe a year

[@With_mirzohid]

Hii my name is Mirzoxid, Im from Uzbekistan. I really want to apply Keio University. I need a little bit support of you. I really appreciate you this afford. Thank you so much, I hope you will reply me

[@akira-thenewyou6254]

Korera ni tsuite go shido itadaki arigatogozaimasu. Watashi wa BBA to tsuyoi badominton kurabu o motomete, Nihon no oku no daigaku ni obo shite imasu. Monbu kagaku-sho ya JASSO no shogaku-kin ni mo obo shite imasu. I am also applying to KEIO university

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

good luck!

[@akira-thenewyou6254]

@@sojin_in_tokyo thank you

[@jessie6362]

Thank u so much! 🥺Your video is really helpful😭😭 I am applying for the 2025fall Keio Pearl program and I have something that confused me in the application progress😭. How can I submit my extracurricular to the Admissions Office?🥲And for the essay, do I need to elaborate on my future career goal and its motivation a lot? I would appreciate it if you could take time to answer my question! Thanks a lot❤

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

I mentioned about my extracurricular activities in my essay and put them in my portfolio! I also talked about my future plans and goals in one paragraph in the essay :) gl🤍

[@jessie6362]

@@sojin_in_tokyo Thank u 🥺❤❤And should i put my portfolio and AP score report in that "other document" section?

[@jessie6362]

​@@sojin_in_tokyo And also I have basically similar AP courses to yours and do i need to mention the knowledge and ability i gained during my HS study on AP subjects in my essay🧐?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

@@jessie6362 yes!

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

i did not mention it in-depth but if you would like, you can

[@whoosh1220]

Hi! I want to ask other than SAT, TOEFL essays, activities etc… does GPA matter alot? Is there a threshold?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

@@whoosh1220 when i talked to a few of my friends who got into keio, they had a pretty good GPA. but i am sure GPA is not the only aspect colleges will check.

[@whoosh1220]

@@sojin_in_tokyo How much GPA do they have (average)?

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

@@whoosh1220 sorry but i dont have the data for the average GPA :/

[@Aktochophy]

Interesting Japanese girl I am from India North East❤❤❤

[@nogirlonlymone]

あなたの連絡先メッセージ私はインド人です

[@nogirlonlymone]

Bolo

[@KannaNishimura]

Hi! I am applying pearl as 帰国生 from the states as Japanese and ur video really helped! If you don’t mind, I want to know what you wrote in ur essay

[@KannaNishimura]

Hi! I am applying pearl as 帰国生 from the states as Japanese and ur video really helped! If you don’t mind, I want to know what you wrote in ur essay

[@sojin_in_tokyo]

hi! i wrote abt what made me interested in economics and connected w my business projects i did in junior yr! i also listed things that i wanted to learn in keio pearl program :)

[@KannaNishimura]

Hi! I am applying pearl as 帰国生 from the states as Japanese and ur video really helped! If you don’t mind, I want to know what you wrote in ur essay