I’m currently studying at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan for a year as an exchange student. I leave in a little less than 2 months, but I’ve grown to really love this school and become accustomed to Japanese language/culture. Moving back to Boston, USA is depressing me.
If I transfer to Sophia University to do my undergraduate in psychology, would that ruin my chances of getting into a graduate school in the U.S. I was thinking of getting my masters in psychology after my undergrad. I could also go to Temple for my masters so I can get an American degree. Has anyone been through something similar? Thank you.
by Apart-Link7217
7 comments
Graduated from Sophia and I really love the school and actually thinking of doing my PhD there, hopefully. I am not very accustomed with American schools, tho Sophia is the most international school in Japan, and there are many profs from ivy league universities. I would suggest you to find a few profs who have graduated from a similar program that you would like to get into. For example, Prof. Deguchi is very famous in her field (psychology); she might give you an idea.
I don’t think Sophia has a psychology program in English. The only university that I can think of off the top of my head is ICU.
Are you sure sophia has that program in English ? I couldn’t find it. also keep in mind JP universities are basically pay to graduate and that environment is not very encouraging to actually learn things
I also took an exchange year at Sophia in my junior year and also finished my Psych BA undergrad at Bos. So I kinda have a guess which school you’re from. I’m currently in an English-taught master program at Sophia and I had some communication with the psychology department so I might be able to answer your question.
The answer depends on what your ultimate goal is. Do you want to live and work in Japan in the future? If not, then doing a undergrad at Japan is basically meaningless. It’ll do nothing for your application for US grad school, especially if you are trying to get in Psychology grad school since the psychology field of Japan is nothing competitive compared to the US, and the researchers here are kinda having a hard time balancing life and researching.
If you plan to start your new life and continue to stay in Japan, doing a undergrad is going to be helpful. But there’s no point to get a master degree in the US and then go back. And then the question would be are you actually ready to go to Japan or not.
In response to your main question, having a degree from a Japanese university should not affect your chances. All three of my children received degrees from a Japanese university and went on to graduate schools in the US. The oldest and middle finished grad school, and the youngest is currently in a PhD program—all are or will be STEM degrees.
If you like Japan, is there a reason to leave? I think Smith has an MSW program that only requires 8 or 10 weeks on campus per year. You do the rest of the time at your intern site.
My advice to widen your perspective:
I think you should get your objectives in life straight: WHY are you doing an undergrad in psychology? Why are you going to do a masters next? What are your thoughts on your career? And how does it align with living in japan?
> Moving back to Boston, USA is depressing me.
This is not a good reason for a transfer. And reading your responses to other comments, changing your major because of the japanese language is also a bad reason. Dont rush your decision because of how you are feeling now