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.

A Health Certificate form will be sent to students whom the University has admitted to OUSSEP. Students will be required to undergo a physical examination and return the form, completed and signed by the attending physician.

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. Completed application form for AIEJ Short-term Student Exchange Promotion Program (Inbound) Scholarship* (Form: 2-3)
3. Completed Certificate of Enrollment of the Applicant for AIEJ Short-term Student Exchange Promotion Program (Inbound) Scholarship* (Form: 2-4)
   * Refer to the next chapter.
4. 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.
5. Academic transcripts
6. A short essay of approximately 500 words in total (Form: Essay)
7. Independent Study Form (Form: Ind. Study-1) (All applicants)
8. 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)
9. TOEFL score record (Applicants from non-English speaking countries)

Important Information !!! Applications for OUSSEP 1999-2000 should reach Osaka University by April 15, 1999. The application should be sent in 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 TEL: +81-6-6879-7118 FAX: +81-6-6879-7119 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 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 scholarships for those applicants selected. Osaka University will, at the same time, officially notify the applicants and their home universities of the decisions on admission to OUSSEP. At this point it will be almost certain that those admitted by Osaka University will be granted AIEJ scholarships. Withdrawal from OUSSEP of any applicant after this point will be highly detrimental to the program. We will notify those admitted and their home universities of the official decisions on AIEJ Scholarships by the end of June 1999.