4. HOW DO I APPLY TO OUSSEP?

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for OUSSEP, the applicant must:

1. Be enrolled in one of the universities and colleges that have concluded Inter-University (or Inter-Faculty) Academic Exchange Agreements with Osaka University.
2. Normally, be a junior or senior (3rd or 4th year) student in an undergraduate course at his/her home institution during the term of OUSSEP.
3. Be recommended by the academic staff of the home institution.
4. Return to his/her home institution upon completion of OUSSEP.

A basic knowledge of the Japanese language is desirable, but is not an essential requirement for an OUSSEP student. Applicants must, however, be proficient in English. A TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) score of 550 or more is a prerequisite for students from non-English speaking countries.

Application Process

Students interested in OUSSEP should first consult their academic adviser. On approval, by the adviser, applicants should obtain the necessary forms from their university or college office. These should be completed and submitted, through the same office, to Osaka University together with supporting documents. The following documents are required:

1. A completed OUSSEP application form
2. At least two letters of recommendation written by faculty members of the home institution. Only one letter from a language instructor is acceptable. These letters should be written in either Japanese or English on the home institution's letterhead
3. Academic transcripts
4. A short essay of approximately 500 words in total (Form: Essay)
5. Independent Study Form (Form: Ind. Study-1) (All applicants)
6. A proposed topic for the Independent Study Course of approximately 500 words in total (Form: Ind. Study-2)
   (Applicants who elect to take the Independent Study Course)
7. TOEFL score record (Applicants from non-English speaking countries)
   Those who wish to apply for the financial aid offered by the Japanese government (refer to next page) should also include following documents in the application package.
8. Completed Certificate of Enrollment of the Applicant for AIEJ Short-term Student Exchange Promotion Program (Inbound) Scholarship* (Form: 2-3)

* Refer to the next chapter

Important Information !!! Applications for OUSSEP 2000-2001 should reach Osaka University by April 1, 2000. The application should be sent as a complete package containing all the above documents! All the documents for application for OUSSEP should be addressed and sent to INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DIVISION OSAKA UNIVERSITY 2-7 YAMADAOKA, SUITA-SHI OSAKA 565-0871 JAPAN E-mail:OUSSEP CONTACT

Selection Process The International Student Committee of Osaka University will be responsible for selecting the students to be admitted to OUSSEP. Preliminary selection will be made by the Short-term Exchange Subcommittee of the above committee.¡¡By the end of April, Osaka University will unofficially notify the applicants and their home universities of the results of the Subcommittee's selection. At this point we will request each of those selected to submit a written confirmation of his/her intention to come to OUSSEP. Based on their response, the subcommittee will recommend its final selection to the parent committee by the middle of May. Upon approval by the parent committee Osaka University will immediately file AIEJ applications for those applicants selected, except for those who do not need the scholarship. (Refer to next page.) Osaka University will, at the same time, officially notify the applicants and their home universities of the decision on admission to OUSSEP. At this point, it will be almost certain that AIEJ will grant the scholarships to all the applicants from Osaka University because we limit the number of applications within the quota prescribed by AIEJ. We will notify those admitted, and their home universities, of the official decisions on AIEJ Scholarships by the end of June 2000.