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School of Oriental and African Studies
London

RE: Japanese BA, entrance with JLPT

Hi there everyone,

I'm new here and so apologies in advance if I've posted in the wrong place.

Really this question's for mature students of Japanese at SOAS or elsewhere.

I'm a 22 year old prospective mature student with very little in the way of qualifications, I scraped a few GCSES way back in 2007 and should soon have a JLPT N4 with a high pass mark but beyond that there's not much else. N4 will be followed hopefully by a similar performance with the N3 exam this December, however.

In short I'm very interested in places like SOAS. They seem very keen to work with mature students and I gather from their website that generally every mature applicant will be invited for an interview. Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds have also caught my attention.

Which brings me to the actual question.

Background considered is it even worth me making an application to study Japanese without any A Levels or an Access to HE diploma? Or if I can prove a reasonable level of aptitude in Japanese via the N3 do you suppose that that would be enough to eclipse my lack of formal qualifications in the past?

If anyone could share any similar experiences ahead of me enquiring with the universities directly that'd be great.

Regards

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Reply 1
Heya,

So I'm a Y1 Japanese student but I did the boring GCSEs -> A-levels -> Uni route. In short though people like me are vastly in the minorty in Japanese - there's actually not that many people here who came here immediately finishing after A-levels. On the course we actually have a fair number of mature students - I've made good friends with people who are in their mid/late twenties and there are some people who are on this course in their thirties. So yeah some people are sitting exams at the moment for the first time in 10 odd years, so that's really not an issue :P.

As for your lack of 'standard' qualifications, I don't think there's any reason why you shouldn't apply. SOAS is quite big on promoting a non-standard route in, and despite the fact that you don't have any A-levels or a diploma, you've proved that you have the abulity to learn a language, and you've proved your aptitude for and interest in Japanese by doing the JLPT tests that you've done. That's what they look for - an interest and an ability, rather than whether you've ticked all the admin boxes or not. So I don't see why you wouldn't stand a good chance - you would also need to construct a strong personal statement to communicate this passion and ability, but I don't think that'll be too much of a problem, if you've travelled or read or had any other interesting life experiences (Japanese related or not) then all of that comes accross extremely well in a personal statement. You could always email the Japanese department directly if you wanted clarifiction :smile:.

Any other questions, Japanese related or not, please let me know :biggrin:.
School of Oriental and African Studies
London
Well, I'm 21, so just about a mature student and I got rejected without being offered an interview, so clearly the claim of interviewing every mature applicant as standard is a lie.

I certainly don't wish to discourage you from applying, but in my experience of applying to them I get the impression that they're very focused on academically successful students and not interested in making offers to students who have a less than perfect or unconventional academic record.

When I emailed them to ask them why they rejected me, they told me straight that my A Levels were not high enough and that they don't take a CertHE into account, leaving me with the distinct impression that the only thing they really care about is academic results.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by bkbmbgbtb
Hi there everyone,

I'm new here and so apologies in advance if I've posted in the wrong place.

Really this question's for mature students of Japanese at SOAS or elsewhere.

I'm a 22 year old prospective mature student with very little in the way of qualifications, I scraped a few GCSES way back in 2007 and should soon have a JLPT N4 with a high pass mark but beyond that there's not much else. N4 will be followed hopefully by a similar performance with the N3 exam this December, however.

In short I'm very interested in places like SOAS. They seem very keen to work with mature students and I gather from their website that generally every mature applicant will be invited for an interview. Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds have also caught my attention.

Which brings me to the actual question.

Background considered is it even worth me making an application to study Japanese without any A Levels or an Access to HE diploma? Or if I can prove a reasonable level of aptitude in Japanese via the N3 do you suppose that that would be enough to eclipse my lack of formal qualifications in the past?

If anyone could share any similar experiences ahead of me enquiring with the universities directly that'd be great.

Regards


As long as you write a good personal statement showing interest and passion I think your JLPT results would carry you in. Or they may ask you undertake an access course.

I'm 21 and just applied with very little in the way of evidence of my passion for the language but spent a really long time on my statement and ended up with an unconditional - Also a good reference never hurt anybody. Best of luck with your application.
Reply 4
Original post by Squaresquirrel
As long as you write a good personal statement showing interest and passion I think your JLPT results would carry you in. Or they may ask you undertake an access course.

I'm 21 and just applied with very little in the way of evidence of my passion for the language but spent a really long time on my statement and ended up with an unconditional - Also a good reference never hurt anybody. Best of luck with your application.



Hi this may be really cheeky but do you have any pointers for a personal statement for Japanese?
I recently got rejected from Sheffield but i was accepted at others such as Leeds. Basically im half considering re-applying to Sheffield next cycle because I think I would rather go there quite frankly. The admssions guy at Sheffield told me it was my grades that let me down (although they previously said they wanted 120 credits and i have that, they negated to say they are still fussed on what grade they were even tho theyr still 120 credits so be mindful of that people). The guy did tell me "your personal statement was fine" though I cant help but feel if it had been better maybe they would have waived my grades because I am 24 now so a mature student too.
Original post by Glenn,
Hi this may be really cheeky but do you have any pointers for a personal statement for Japanese?
I recently got rejected from Sheffield but i was accepted at others such as Leeds. Basically im half considering re-applying to Sheffield next cycle because I think I would rather go there quite frankly. The admssions guy at Sheffield told me it was my grades that let me down (although they previously said they wanted 120 credits and i have that, they negated to say they are still fussed on what grade they were even tho theyr still 120 credits so be mindful of that people). The guy did tell me "your personal statement was fine" though I cant help but feel if it had been better maybe they would have waived my grades because I am 24 now so a mature student too.


I got a very similar reply from Sheffield. They thought my Personal Statement showed a strong interest in Japanese, but my grades were not strong enough to be admitted, even though I am a mature student.

Basically I think the bottom line is Japanese is a subject that receives more applications than places so they don't have to compromise on grades.

I've pretty much given up with the idea of doing a Japanese degree because there is no way that I am spending another year doing an Access to HE course when I have already completed a year at university anyway.

What is the point? It's just a waste of money with no guarantee of admission anyway.

Did you get an offer from SOAS? I found SOAS most unreceptive to my application!

They took ages to reply to my application, and they refused to reply to my emails asking for an update on my application, and then when they finally rejected me and I emailed again asking why they rejected me, their response was abrasive, unhelpful and bordering on rude.

They refused to give my any specific feedback on why my qualifications were not considered and basically said that I was wasting my time in applying to them with such low grades, despite not directly explaining why they did not consider my CertHE.

Overall, I was not impressed with their attitude.
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 6
Original post by TobaccoSmoke
I got a very similar reply from Sheffield. They thought my Personal Statement showed a strong interest in Japanese, but my grades were not strong enough to be admitted, even though I am a mature student.

Basically I think the bottom line is Japanese is a subject that receives more applications than places so they don't have to compromise on grades.

I've pretty much given up with the idea of doing a Japanese degree because there is no way that I am spending another year doing an Access to HE course when I have already completed a year at university anyway.

What is the point? It's just a waste of money with no guarantee of admission anyway.

Did you get an offer from SOAS? I found SOAS most unreceptive to my application!

They took ages to reply to my application, and they refused to reply to my emails asking for an update on my application, and then when they finally rejected me and I emailed again asking why they rejected me, their response was abrasive, unhelpful and bordering on rude.

They refused to give my any specific feedback on why my qualifications were not considered and basically said that I was wasting my time in applying to them with such low grades, despite not directly explaining why they did not consider my CertHE.

Overall, I was not impressed with their attitude.


Funny you say that because SOAS pretty much gave me no communication whatsoever and rejected me. So did Manchester. People say SOAS are great for considering mature students but i had no such kindness. Although Sheffield rejected me also, they did actually give me feedback when i asked why, and even said they can fill in the admissions people on my "back story" if i choose to re-apply (basically say, look hes got better grades now from the feeback we gave him before).
Annoyingly I was once doing a Japanese degree when i was 19 but I had to quit due to medical reasons, but I'm fine now and even though i have half a degree from the Open University (wanted to do something while i was sick and not waste my time) I decided i shouldnt care about my age and follow what I wanted to do in life. So losing yet another years time of a degree I should have been done with if i didnt get ill, is pretty annoying but i dont want to give up just yet. Sheffield is where I want to go the most so I will decline my 2 offers and take 2 more 60 credit OU modules and rely work hard at them. If Sheffield reject me again then, its probably time I gave it up and just went to Japan to work using my OU degree which will be done in around a year anyway. Would love to formally study the language properly though rather than pick it up whilst there.

But like i said although heartbroken Sheffield rejected me the admissions guy was very responsive to me and offered to fill in the admissions team on my story next year should i re-apply. Kinda feels like im jumping through unecessary hoops at the moment tho but i cant help that now.

Side note: He also accidentally included me in an email clearly meant for his colleague, slagging off a woman they work with who apparently was making an awful face while at work lol. Maybe I can blackmail him with that one??? haha
Original post by Glenn,
Hi this may be really cheeky but do you have any pointers for a personal statement for Japanese?
I recently got rejected from Sheffield but i was accepted at others such as Leeds. Basically im half considering re-applying to Sheffield next cycle because I think I would rather go there quite frankly. The admssions guy at Sheffield told me it was my grades that let me down (although they previously said they wanted 120 credits and i have that, they negated to say they are still fussed on what grade they were even tho theyr still 120 credits so be mindful of that people). The guy did tell me "your personal statement was fine" though I cant help but feel if it had been better maybe they would have waived my grades because I am 24 now so a mature student too.


Hi there,

In my personal statement I spent the first half discussing (and providing evidence) why I like languages, specific reasons why I like Japanese and japanese culture. Although here I would try to steer away from manga/anime because there will be a lot of applicants using that angle.

The other half I spent recounting life experiences/jobs/work placements etc. and what I learned from these experiences. I think this is an especially important part for mature students as we can't rely on grades or do the usual "I study X and really enjoy Y about it"

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions fire away! :P

EDIT__ Also it never hurts that if you really have your mind set on a particular uni to look at their recommended reading and course structure and mention this in your PS.
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 8
Original post by Squaresquirrel
Hi there,

In my personal statement I spent the first half discussing (and providing evidence) why I like languages, specific reasons why I like Japanese and japanese culture. Although here I would try to steer away from manga/anime because there will be a lot of applicants using that angle.

The other half I spent recounting life experiences/jobs/work placements etc. and what I learned from these experiences. I think this is an especially important part for mature students as we can't rely on grades or do the usual "I study X and really enjoy Y about it"

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions fire away! :P

EDIT__ Also it never hurts that if you really have your mind set on a particular uni to look at their recommended reading and course structure and mention this in your PS.



Thanks, i really do appreciate ur advice.
Luckily I dont actually watch anime or read manga (havnt since about 3 years ago) so I'd be lying if I put that, though im sure thats going to make me an outcast in the class already lol. Do people really get in with those statements? for me its akin to saying "i wanna study in the USA cus i like the simpsons"... i dont know i just always assumed that anime related personal statements wouldnt get too far.

Thing is ive been ill and working a part time job whilst getting a distance learning degree since i had to leave uni last time, and that doesnt sound good in a PS cus im better now. I dont want them thinking "he is gna quit" so i wont mention it. Though i am spending this year getting a high score in 120 credits just to go to sheffield in 2014, I hope i can show that im determined to go there. So the part about looking at their course specifically is a really good idea! Thanks a lot. ( do you go to sheffield btw?)
Original post by Glenn,
Thanks, i really do appreciate ur advice.
Luckily I dont actually watch anime or read manga (havnt since about 3 years ago) so I'd be lying if I put that, though im sure thats going to make me an outcast in the class already lol. Do people really get in with those statements? for me its akin to saying "i wanna study in the USA cus i like the simpsons"... i dont know i just always assumed that anime related personal statements wouldnt get too far.

Thing is ive been ill and working a part time job whilst getting a distance learning degree since i had to leave uni last time, and that doesnt sound good in a PS cus im better now. I dont want them thinking "he is gna quit" so i wont mention it. Though i am spending this year getting a high score in 120 credits just to go to sheffield in 2014, I hope i can show that im determined to go there. So the part about looking at their course specifically is a really good idea! Thanks a lot. ( do you go to sheffield btw?)


I was in a similar situation. I dropped out of university twice due to illness and was very ill for a good few years. I was very up-front about it in my statement explaining how experiencing and over-coming my illness developed me as a person etc. (Although I was careful to mention that I am recovered now)

I kinda hope that the anime/manga crowd don't out-number everyone else but I get the feeling that come September there will be quite a few. But here's hoping.

I don't go to Sheffield although it made my shortlist. Was between SOAS and Sheffield but I decided I would rather live at home to reduce stress etc.
Reply 10
Original post by Squaresquirrel
I was in a similar situation. I dropped out of university twice due to illness and was very ill for a good few years. I was very up-front about it in my statement explaining how experiencing and over-coming my illness developed me as a person etc. (Although I was careful to mention that I am recovered now)

I kinda hope that the anime/manga crowd don't out-number everyone else but I get the feeling that come September there will be quite a few. But here's hoping.

I don't go to Sheffield although it made my shortlist. Was between SOAS and Sheffield but I decided I would rather live at home to reduce stress etc.


I didnt want to mention it in my statement to be honest, worrying if they will just assume its an excuse for quitting or that id just get sick again or whatever. I just said i had been working and studying (which is true) and i finally found what i wanna do so i applied... i didnt say "i did this subject before but had to quit" i dont know, I guess i thought it would come off as negative but obviously it worked for you! ^^ well done mate SOAS is tough to get into i hear! Do you think i should just be brutally honest in my statement for 2014?

As for the anime/manga crowds... i dont wanna offend anyone here but my course before i quit years ago... I can say I got on with 2 people in the whole class, that like me (at that time) did watch anime but didnt talk about it the entire time. Or eat any japanese product (usually pocki) in class just because its japanese. Never a snickers or something? My focus has really shifted from pop culture etc to the language itself and more than otaku things. So prepare to meet reserved guys who live for anime and are shocked you dont know certain jpop bands or mangas. Great people dont get me wrong, I just found it hard to socialise with the majority as i dont wanna feel awkward when theyr all talking about an anime / drama and im being polite but wanna leave so I found i didnt hang out with them much or politely declined when asked >< My mate feels the same in Korean too, so its not only the demographic for people that wanna learn japanese. Hes not into K drama or Kpop but he loves korean cinema and like me with japan, the country and culture in general. Its great they have such passion for something that they wanna learn all about the country and language ^^ but ive never heard of someone learning english cus they like the simpsons and 24 :tongue: weird how it doesnt seem to be a 2 way street.
Original post by Glenn,
Thanks, i really do appreciate ur advice.
Luckily I dont actually watch anime or read manga (havnt since about 3 years ago) so I'd be lying if I put that, though im sure thats going to make me an outcast in the class already lol. Do people really get in with those statements? for me its akin to saying "i wanna study in the USA cus i like the simpsons"... i dont know i just always assumed that anime related personal statements wouldnt get too far.

Thing is ive been ill and working a part time job whilst getting a distance learning degree since i had to leave uni last time, and that doesnt sound good in a PS cus im better now. I dont want them thinking "he is gna quit" so i wont mention it. Though i am spending this year getting a high score in 120 credits just to go to sheffield in 2014, I hope i can show that im determined to go there. So the part about looking at their course specifically is a really good idea! Thanks a lot. ( do you go to sheffield btw?)


How did you address the issue of dropping out and changing degrees in your Personal Statement?

I didn't really mention it at all aside from a couple of lines towards the bottom stating that I made my original degree choice in haste without really thinking about it and consequently think I made the wrong choice.

Apparently that didn't go down very well as I failed to secure any offers.
Reply 12
Original post by TobaccoSmoke
How did you address the issue of dropping out and changing degrees in your Personal Statement?

I didn't really mention it at all aside from a couple of lines towards the bottom stating that I made my original degree choice in haste without really thinking about it and consequently think I made the wrong choice.

Apparently that didn't go down very well as I failed to secure any offers.


I didnt mention it at all actually, im not entirely sure if they can even see that, as theyr not UCAS / Student Finance. Id be interested to know if they can.
Original post by Glenn,
I didnt want to mention it in my statement to be honest, worrying if they will just assume its an excuse for quitting or that id just get sick again or whatever. I just said i had been working and studying (which is true) and i finally found what i wanna do so i applied... i didnt say "i did this subject before but had to quit" i dont know, I guess i thought it would come off as negative but obviously it worked for you! ^^ well done mate SOAS is tough to get into i hear! Do you think i should just be brutally honest in my statement for 2014?

As for the anime/manga crowds... i dont wanna offend anyone here but my course before i quit years ago... I can say I got on with 2 people in the whole class, that like me (at that time) did watch anime but didnt talk about it the entire time. Or eat any japanese product (usually pocki) in class just because its japanese. Never a snickers or something? My focus has really shifted from pop culture etc to the language itself and more than otaku things. So prepare to meet reserved guys who live for anime and are shocked you dont know certain jpop bands or mangas. Great people dont get me wrong, I just found it hard to socialise with the majority as i dont wanna feel awkward when theyr all talking about an anime / drama and im being polite but wanna leave so I found i didnt hang out with them much or politely declined when asked >< My mate feels the same in Korean too, so its not only the demographic for people that wanna learn japanese. Hes not into K drama or Kpop but he loves korean cinema and like me with japan, the country and culture in general. Its great they have such passion for something that they wanna learn all about the country and language ^^ but ive never heard of someone learning english cus they like the simpsons and 24 :tongue: weird how it doesnt seem to be a 2 way street.


Hm. I mentioned what subjects I did before hand. My first degree was in bio-chem but had to drop out and didn't really wanna go back to it, so I changed to Chinese (through my uni, not UCAS). I mentioned this in my PS as Chinese and Japanese are pretty similar-ish and during my year doing Chinese I took a few modules relating to Japanese culture as well. So ye I mentioned my previous subjects because they were all part of the reason I want to do Japanese. So if you think your previous subjects work that way I would mention them, if not I would probably shy away from mentioning them - however I wouldn't lie, like is asked at interview or something just be honest.

I would say a similar thing applies to your health as well. If you can turn it into a positive and use it to say how it's influenced your decisions, or developed you as a person mention it. If not don't. However again don't lie about things.

best of luck with your application BTW!!

And again any more questions lemme know :biggrin:
Original post by Glenn,
I didnt mention it at all actually, im not entirely sure if they can even see that, as theyr not UCAS / Student Finance. Id be interested to know if they can.


If you don't mind me asking, are you applying on the basis of your OU results or on your previous A Level results?

I ask because my A Level results were too low to directly satisfy the course requirements, so I applied hoping they would take the results from my CertHE into account, which is worth 120 points.

As I applied during the course, I obviously didn't have my results at the time of application, so they would have been making a conditional offer.

Once I have my results from the CertHE, is there a chance I would get a better response applying for 2014 entry with a CertHE that has already been completed?
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 15
Original post by TobaccoSmoke
If you don't mind me asking, are you applying on the basis of your OU results or on your previous A Level results?

I ask because my A Level results were too low to directly satisfy the course requirements, so I applied hoping they would take the results from my CertHE into account, which is worth 120 points.

As I applied during the course, I obviously didn't have my results at the time of application, so they would have been making a conditional offer.

Once I have my results from the CertHE, is there a chance I would get a better response applying for 2014 entry with a CertHE that has already been completed?


They will certainly take the CertHE into account if its in a relevant area. I wanna do Japanese and i am doing an OU degree in English Language right now. They told me thats fine but i emailed and called around a little to ask what they want from that. They said 120 credits same as you mentioned. My A levels are all over the place and OU is degree level so pretty much only using my OU credits as theyr more than typical students have anyway as its way above A level. Interestingly i still got denied on the basis that although i passed, they werent amazing results. so 2014 and actually putting in some effort is my plan. applied for a job today to pass the time and not be poor in the meantime.
Original post by TobaccoSmoke
If you don't mind me asking, are you applying on the basis of your OU results or on your previous A Level results?

I ask because my A Level results were too low to directly satisfy the course requirements, so I applied hoping they would take the results from my CertHE into account, which is worth 120 points.

As I applied during the course, I obviously didn't have my results at the time of application, so they would have been making a conditional offer.

Once I have my results from the CertHE, is there a chance I would get a better response applying for 2014 entry with a CertHE that has already been completed?


I am loathed to repeat myself because you routinely ignore what I (and others) say... but like I said in your other thread, most universities will consider a CertHE in lieu of A levels but you will not be made a conditional offer. You need to actually have the qualification before you can be considered. If you are serious about studying Japanese you should be spending this year learning a language, any language, to show that you can. If you do not attempt to show some language learning ability then you risk being rejected again.

Original post by Glenn,
They will certainly take the CertHE into account if its in a relevant area. I wanna do Japanese and i am doing an OU degree in English Language right now. They told me thats fine but i emailed and called around a little to ask what they want from that. They said 120 credits same as you mentioned. My A levels are all over the place and OU is degree level so pretty much only using my OU credits as theyr more than typical students have anyway as its way above A level. Interestingly i still got denied on the basis that although i passed, they werent amazing results. so 2014 and actually putting in some effort is my plan. applied for a job today to pass the time and not be poor in the meantime.


What OU courses are you doing? AA100 and A150? Why not a language course?
Reply 17
What OU courses are you doing? AA100 and A150? Why not a language course?

So far i have done AA100, E303 and U214 and am almost at the end of another which is AA306. Technically it is a "language course" but i know you mean foreign language for me. Well I want to do Japanese, and I do kind of like german to be honest that would be my choice if i was to do that, but i thought a degree in english language would be much more advantageous. Jobs in editing, translation, writing etc. Shows a good command of my mother tongue and actual understanding of grammar. I know already from mates that have done the whole JET thing or the like in asia that the average persons knowledge of english in more depth than just knowing how to speak it is borderline retarded. I think not only is it a good thing to actually understand my own language + possible job opportunities with it in almost any field really, I do also have some interest in it plus as i will probably end up teaching english for 1 or 2 years in Japan as a starter job there, its gonna be more effortless for me to learn/understand what im teaching. So for the 120 credits i needed i almost have double now in something i consider pretty useful tho of course i may be wrong about that >< hope not
Original post by Glenn,
So far i have done AA100, E303 and U214 and am almost at the end of another which is AA306. Technically it is a "language course" but i know you mean foreign language for me. Well I want to do Japanese, and I do kind of like german to be honest that would be my choice if i was to do that, but i thought a degree in english language would be much more advantageous. Jobs in editing, translation, writing etc. Shows a good command of my mother tongue and actual understanding of grammar. I know already from mates that have done the whole JET thing or the like in asia that the average persons knowledge of english in more depth than just knowing how to speak it is borderline retarded. I think not only is it a good thing to actually understand my own language + possible job opportunities with it in almost any field really, I do also have some interest in it plus as i will probably end up teaching english for 1 or 2 years in Japan as a starter job there, its gonna be more effortless for me to learn/understand what im teaching. So for the 120 credits i needed i almost have double now in something i consider pretty useful tho of course i may be wrong about that >< hope not


Are you doing a full BA degree with the OU? I assume you know that if you do a BA with the OU, you won’t get a student loan if you then decided to study Japanese. I think you stand a pretty good chance of getting onto a Japanese degree with the courses you have already completed. Experience of studying foreign language is always desirable, but you can do that yourself in your spare time.

I am in a similar situation, I am doing a CertHE in the Humanities with the OU so I can apply to study Norwegian at a brick university.
Reply 19
Original post by Samual
Are you doing a full BA degree with the OU? I assume you know that if you do a BA with the OU, you won’t get a student loan if you then decided to study Japanese. I think you stand a pretty good chance of getting onto a Japanese degree with the courses you have already completed. Experience of studying foreign language is always desirable, but you can do that yourself in your spare time.

I am in a similar situation, I am doing a CertHE in the Humanities with the OU so I can apply to study Norwegian at a brick university.


Norwegian? wow thats cool ^^
Well yeah im doing a full degree, long story short = uni - got sick - had to quit - so did OU instead in my 2nd choice subject cus they didnt do japanese.

Now i never planned to go back to a brick uni but since im not sick anymore well, why not do what i wanted? Funnily enough they asked me for 120 credits and rejected me even tho i have that so you'd think id have a good chance but they still pretty much want distinction/high marks even tho this isnt certHE its actually uni level (level 3 / year 3 right now) so that annoyed me a little. I think i can get a loan still if i fund myself at the OU (which i do and makes me in debt and poor) plus i would be starting uni before i technically finished my degree with the OU, ive checked it all with student loans etc and its fine but if i dont get into uni again next year i worry im gna end up teaching english in japan since ill have a degree and just learn by living there meaning it wud take real discipline and effort on my part to learn kanji cus id have to make myself sit and learn to write it. I find thats much easier when its "learn these 10 by next week" kinda thing cus i have to do it for the class. Im the kind of person that needs a deadline with almost anything or is never do it, id procrastinate. Also i can show them my work from my previous Japanese course if they wanted proof of dedication, or the fact i already speak conversational japanese due to time spent there but since they didnt interview me they wont know that lol, just rejected me =(.

Anyway il have a full degree in english lang + japanese if i get in next year. Just gonna actually put SOME effort into my work this time to show i do have some brains. Its not hard u just have to be able to sit and do it rather than leave it till the last second like i always do lol. Ironically the subject i do have a genuine passion for and was top of the class due to actually being interested in it, is the one theyr saying they dont want me for when i know full well half the people that got accepted will be choosing it cus theyr obsessed with anime ..... sour grapes...... LOL well nevermind, always next year.

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