Resubmission of Academic Study Plan
This makes me want to cry. I thought I had submitted everything and was done, but the next day, I received an email. Why would I get an email? It's not like the results are out yet. Summarizing the email content...
"You want to join the Japanese Language and Literature Department at our university (Waseda), right? But that program starts in the spring and is only for those staying for a year. Would you like to choose a different department or come in the spring?"
Excuse me?
My major is Japanese Language and Literature... Now, I am lost and unsure of what to study. In a hurry, I decided to switch to the School of Commerce and go in the fall. I can’t delay my exchange program any longer. I replied to the email.
"Then, why do you want to come to the School of Commerce if your major is Japanese Language and Literature? Please rewrite and submit your Academic Study Plan!"
I had no choice but to rewrite it. I quickly drafted and submitted it. Waseda has a policy that requires students to take courses in their designated major. While you can take liberal arts courses, the chances of being allowed are slim...
My major at Waseda: School of Commerce
My major at Home University: Japanese Language and Literature
Taking major courses at Waseda will only be recognized as liberal arts credits for me... (I have already fulfilled all liberal arts credits and only need to take major and double major courses). This means I won’t be able to complete all my credits within the regular eight semesters. I decided to handle this by taking extra semesters.
Admission Approval
I thought all that was left was to receive admission approval, but I found a missed email. What now???????
"Please provide your father's company name by 5/19."
The date I saw this email: 5/25
I hastily wrote and sent an email while having a meal with a friend. Later, I noticed there were typos in almost every sentence... On 5/27, I received a response.
"Thank you for sending the information. We will update the COE."
Phew...
On 5/31, I received an email congratulating me on my final admission approval.
"Congratulations on your admission~
Please download the following information~
-> Pre-departure information, Dormitory and Accommodation Survey, Learning Japanese Characters, Japanese Course Registration
Oh, and you'll need the COE for your visa application. We will email it to you in August. See you soon at Waseda~"
That was the content.
Dormitory and Accommodation Survey
The conclusion: I need to complete the Dormitory and Accommodation Survey.
Is the dormitory selection random??? There are three dormitories, all close to the school. The accommodations seem to be in collaboration with Waseda. They advised applying for backup accommodation in case I don't get a dormitory. However, the backup options are far from the school and not cheap. Since others have probably detailed the specifics well, I'll skip the details... Currently, I am struggling due to sleep deprivation and other reasons (my home is 10 minutes from school). If my school and home are far apart, will I be able to attend school properly? So, I earnestly filled out the survey, hoping to get a dormitory, regardless of female-only floors or specific floors. Please, just give me a dormitory... Just in case, I also applied for backup accommodation. Without a backup, if I don't get a dormitory, I would have to find a place on my own in Japan, which I heard is difficult for a one-year stay. Finding a place myself would be a big hassle.
The dormitory announcement is on July 3rd. Until then, I have to wait anxiously. I’d rather forget about it until then.