OIST is accepting online applications for admission to the 2012 PhD program. Applications close April 20. Applications for admission in 2013 will open 1 May.
Please ensure that ALL necessary documents, including reference letters and submission of transcripts, etc, are completed before the due date if you wish to apply for the 2012 Academic Year that begins on September 10, 2012.
Important facts:
- Questions about applications should be directed to the Admissions Officer (click here for contact form)
- Paper copies of transcripts and other information should be sent to:
Application Materials
Prospective students are required to submit an English-language application for admission online, but some materials require official copies to be postal mailed as well.
Required
The following documents are required:
- Academic transcript and authenticated copies of diploma (BSc, MSc, etc.) in PDF format. An English explanation is required for transcripts that are not written in English.
- Note: Not all schools can issue official transcripts directly to students. In such a case, a scan of an unofficial transcript or other record of grades may be uploaded to the application website, and the official transcript sent directly from your school to OIST at the address at the top of this page at a later date.
- Applicant’s statement. This should be not more than 400 words and should address the following points:
- The applicant’s scientific interests and aspirations, and
- What the applicant hopes to gain from undertaking graduate studies at OIST.
- An applicant who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university for which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English is required to provide TOEFL or IELTS obtained within last 2 years.
- OIST Institutional Code for TOEFL: 8794
- There is no minimum score required but the information is necessary in determining preparatory course requirements.
- Applicants who cannot take the test in time to meet the application deadline should consult the Admissions Officer.
- The application asks non-Japanese applicants to submit a passport number and upload a scan of the passport, but this part of the application is optional, and applicants who do not yet hold a passport are welcome to apply without this information. If selected for interviews, the applicant will need a passport to come to Okinawa, so non-Japanese candidates are encouraged to begin the process of acquiring a passport.
- Each applicant is required to have at least 2 but no more than 5 letters of recommendation from appropriate academic referees. In the online application, the applicant will enter the name and email of each recommender.
- OIST strongly recommends that applicants directly ask academic referees in advance for permission to list them as recommenders and to tell recommenders the deadline for recieving letters of recommendation (see the top of this page).
- Recommender’s letters will be treated as confidential material and will not be available to applicants or parties other than OIST faculty members assessing the application. In registering a recommender the applicant acknowledges that there is no right to read the recommender’s letter.
Optional
The following documents may be submitted optionally, and will be taken into consideration by the selection committee if available:
- Additional evidence of academic ability such as GRE general test scores obtained within last 2 years.
- OIST Institutional Code for GRE reports: 8794
- Additional material such as copies of publications and abstracts of oral presentations, and other evidence of achievement.
The OIST Graduate School reserves the right to request an external evaluation of academic qualifications from any applicant.
Selection for Admission
The Graduate Admissions Committee makes the selection of students for admission. This Committee reviews all material submitted by each student and makes a short-list of about 80 applicants. The short-listed applicants are invited to an Admissions Workshop.
What happens at the Admissions Workshop
An Admissions Workshop will be held each year. Several things happen at the workshop. You will be expected to:
- Attend a face-to-face interview. In the interview you will be asked about your aims and your motivation to undertake graduate studies at OIST. There may also be questions about your academic record and career aspirations. You will have an opportunity to ask questions about the graduate program.
- Perform a written assessment task. The purpose of the task is to provide a sample of your written work. The question will be of a general scientific nature. Candidates will have 3 hours to complete the assessment.
- Tour OIST research and teaching facilities, student support and accommodation, and the surrounding environs.
- Enjoy a social program giving you an opportunity to meet existing students and faculty members.
For those invited to attend the workshop the travel costs and a per diem will be paid by OIST. The workshop will comprise a minimum of two full days in Okinawa, with flexibility regarding additional time.
Final selection
The Graduate Admissions Committee will make a final selection of applicants who will be offered a place in the graduate program, and inform the admissions office. The successful applicants will be sent an official letter offering admission to the graduate program. Successful applicants will be required to accept or decline the offer within 30 days. The deadline for accepting or declining the offer may be extended by the Admissions Committee. A ranked list of reserves will be kept for a second round of offers if places become available.
Number of Students Admitted
In accordance with best-practice graduate teaching methods where low numbers of students for each faculty member are essential, and in line with overseas prestigious universities, the Graduate School will accept about 20 PhD full-time graduate students per year.
