Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1: Can I apply for the Amgen Scholars Program at more than one institution?
Yes. Eligible undergraduate students are welcome to apply for the Amgen Scholars Program at any or all of the institutions offering the program. Please note, however, that each institution has its own application process and requirements.
Q2: I am a master’s student. Can I apply for the program?
No. You must be an undergraduate student to apply for the program.
Q3: I am currently studying for my second bachelor’s degree. Can I apply for the program?
No. You must be an undergraduate student who does not currently hold a bachelor's degree.
Q4: I am a medical student, and have completed pre-clinical training. Can I apply for the program?
No. Medical students who have completed their pre-clinical training by the start of the Kyoto University Amgen Scholars Program are not eligible to apply.
Q5: I am not a science or engineering major. Can I apply for the program?
Students in any major can participate in the Kyoto University Amgen Scholars Program.
Q6: My classes do not end until after the program starts. Can I apply for the program?
No. All students enrolled must participate for the entire duration of the program, including attendance at the Asia Symposium.
Q7: What is the minimum GPA required to be eligible to apply for the program?
There is no minimum GPA requirement. Screening is based on overall assessment of the applicant’s academic performance, including, but not limited to, their GPA.
Q8: My university does not provide an official transcript in English. What should I do?
Please submit the official transcript together with its translation, verified by your university.
Q9: I am a first-year student and my academic transcript is not available. What should I do?
Please obtain your grades for the current semester (endorsed by your university), and submit them online as a scanned PDF.
Q10: Can I submit my transcript after the application deadline?
No. All required documents must be submitted by the application deadline, as the selection process will commence immediately after the deadline.
If you have studied in an English-taught program for the last five consecutive years or more, you do not need to submit proof of your English proficiency.
Q12: I only have a TOEFL ITP score. Will this be accepted as part of my application?
No. Only scores from the English tests listed under "General Eligibility" will be accepted.
Q13: The only English test score I have has already expired. Can I use it for my application?
You may submit the expired score. However, a valid score will be considered more favorably in the screening process.
Q14: Can I submit my English test score after the application deadline?
No. All required documents must be submitted by the application deadline, as the selection process will commence immediately after the deadline.
Q15: Can I contact potential hosting faculty members to get advice for my research proposal?
No. One of the purposes of the research proposal submitted with the application is to demonstrate the applicant’s ability to think independently and draft their own proposal. Applicants may discuss their research theme in detail with hosting faculty members after they have been selected for the program.
Q16: Can I choose any kind of theme for my research proposal?
Please write a research proposal focusing on a theme relevant to the lab of your preference, and which you expect to be able to complete during the eight-week program. Proposals may be pursuant to an original project or to an already existing project, provided the research theme is relevant to the laboratory.
Q17: I need advice about how to write a research proposal. What should I do?
If you are having difficulty writing a research proposal (e.g. because you are a first year student or do not have previous lab experience, etc.), then we recommend that you contact a faculty member at your home institution who can assist you.
The Statement of Purpose must be entered in two columns, each of which has space for a maximum of 3,000 characters (including spaces). Please note that this is the number of characters—not the number of words.
Since we do not allow applicants to contact the relevant laboratory before the screening process, we are afraid you need to write your proposal based on the assumption that everything it needs would be available.
One of the purposes of the research proposal submitted with the application is to demonstrate the applicant’s ability to think independently and draft their own proposal. It is not guaranteed that you will be assigned the research you write for the proposal, but you may discuss your research theme in detail with hosting faculty members after you have been selected for the program.
Q20: Who should I ask to write me a recommendation letter?
The recommendation letter should be written by someone who knows the applicant very well, preferably through academic and/or research activities at the applicant’s home institution. For example, a faculty member, principal investigator, or professor.
Q21: How do I submit my recommendation letter?
Immediately after you submit your application online, an e-mail notification will be sent automatically to your two nominated referees with instructions on how to submit a recommendation letter on your behalf, and details of the application deadline. Please be sure to submit your application allowing sufficient time for the referees to submit the recommendation letters.
No. The e-mail notification from our online system with the link to submit the recommendation letter will be sent to your referee only after you have completed and submitted the application.
Q23: Is there an official format for the recommendation letter?
There is no official format for the recommendation letter, but it should be written on departmental letterhead and include the referee’s signature.
There is no limit to the number of characters that can be used.
Q25: What kind of details should the recommendation letter include?
Your referees will receive detailed instructions on writing the recommendation letter by e-mail, together with the link for its submission.
Due to system constraints, you are not able to input "gmail" account.
Please use the different e-mail address, preferably his/her official business e-mail address.