How I Got Recommended for Admission to the University of Tsukuba with 3% Effort
Self-Introduction
Nice to meet you! I am Sho, and I was
accepted into the College of Information Science, School of Informatics at the University of Tsukuba for the 2025 academic year through the recommendation entrance exam (school recommendation-based selection). I am so happy!!
In this note, I will share my experience of passing the recommendation entrance exam with 3000 hours of only about 3% the study time typically required for general entrance exams (i.e., 100 hours of preparation)!
Why I decided to take the recommendation exam
I started studying for the general entrance exam in the winter of my second year of high school, and I made the University of Tsukuba my first choice because of the research I wanted to do there.
I had such a strong longing for the University of Tsukuba that I thought,
“If I can increase my chances even a little, I should!”
which is why I decided to take the recommendation exam!
About the University of Tsukuba's recommendation process
The admission policy for the College of Information Science, where I was accepted, is as follows:
“We will comprehensively evaluate your academic performance in high school and your involvement in extracurricular activities, as well as your interest in information science and information technology, your motivation to create new technologies, your ability to express yourself, and your communication skills to think logically and explain the results accurately.”
The Common Test is not required, but since there is an English proficiency test disguised as an essay and an oral examination in mathematics, a certain level of academic ability is necessary!
Preparation details
About the cram school I attended (WSD Cram School)
I attended a WSD cram school specializing in recommendations starting in the summer of my third year of high school, but
honestly, there is absolutely no need to attend.
Unless you are someone who cannot talk to people and has done no activities at all, you will end up throwing your money away without gaining anything.
As for the class content (at least after I joined), it consisted of:
Correction and advice on submitted documents.
Interview preparation
Oral examination preparation
Program with external instructors (Name: Future Discovery Program)
There are
Regarding the last one mentioned,・Program with external instructors (Name: Future Discovery Program) I remember it as being the only thing of value that I personally learned a lot from. If you are already attending WSD cram school, please try participating!
Self-exploration
I was selected to participate fortwo consecutive years in a project called the One Village One Product Market PR Activity Project and I used that achievement to apply under item 3 of the application requirements.
(3) Those who have engaged in inquiry-based learning with international issues as a theme or activities related to international exchange at high school, etc., and have acquired international literacy such as communication skills and problem-solving skills (as evidence, attach an 'Activity Report' created by the applicant), and who possess academic ability equal to or greater than that required to pass the University of Tsukuba's individual academic achievement test, etc.
As long as you meet these requirements, any activity is fine, so I will omit details about the project.
I will omit the project details.
For the activity report, which is a required document for the College of Information Science, I focused on
making it easy to read and packing it with information
!
The Exam Day
The exam ends in one day.
Just think about arriving at the venue on time,
you don't need to worry about the test!!
Essay test
↓
Interview (including oral examination)
If you are studying for the general entrance exam, you have nothing to worry about!
Solve past papers and get used tothe feel of the questionsandsolving them while looking at the annotations.
Tsukuba's essay questions are very interesting, so I recommend enjoying them as you solve them!
In Conclusion
Both I and the seniors who passed through the same recommendation exam all
passed while being convinced we had failed!
I can't say it's okay to make mistakes, butyou can definitely make a comeback!!
Don't give up,give it your all until the very end!!