[Kandai Transfer] Hard work paid off! A real-life story of passing the Kansai University Faculty of Letters transfer exam on a final revenge attempt
"How much preparation do I actually need for a transfer?" "Can I do it by self-study?" "Won't my experience with ronin or failure actually be a disadvantage?"
I think many people hold onto such anxieties while wanting to "move their current life forward."
This article is based on the real-life experience of "Matsuko-san," who passed the transfer exam to the Kansai University Faculty of Letters.
・When and how did she start?
・How did she prepare when information was scarce?
・What were her feelings on the day of the exam and the reasons for her success?
I have organized these points into a readable format while keeping the original intensity.
In conclusion, transfer exams are not a "game of talent," but a world wherethose who go out and get information for themselves and build upon it are strong.
At the same time, it leaves a strong message that "because time is limited, it is important to make a firm decision and take on the challenge."
By reading this article, the confusion inside you should be cleared up, and you should be able to see "what I should do next"🔥
I also want you to feel the intensity and nuances leading up to passing the exam through the video.
This article is based on the content of a YouTube video.
However, while it is easier to understand when organized in text,things like the speaker's tone, intensity, and timingare definitely better conveyed in the video.
Therefore, if you grasp the big picture with the article and then watch the video together, the way it "hits home" will change.
I think it will be easier to flip the switch and think, "Alright, I'm going to do this too!"🙆♂️
▼ Click here for the video
First, the successful applicant's profile: Conditions and exam subjects for the Kansai University Faculty of Letters transfer
Matsuko-san passed theKansai University Faculty of Letters.
The conditions and subjects required for the exam were as follows.
The required credits were 62 credits.
The exam subjects were specialized subjects + TOEIC + interview. And in advance, submission of a statement of purpose was required.
Regarding the specialized subjects, since Matsuko-san was aiming for the "education field," questions about education were asked.
In other words, even though it is the Faculty of Letters, it is not "anything goes," but rather the questions are in line with the department and the field of study you are aiming for.
The exam date was October 22nd.
The announcement of results was "about exactly two weeks later," and the official announcement date was November 1st. However, because Kansai University used an internet posting format, she was too scared to look on the day, and the flow was that she realized she had passed through the documents that arrived by mail on November 2nd.
This feeling of "being too scared to look at the online announcement" is something I totally understand...
The harder you have worked, the scarier it is to click.
The trigger for deciding to transfer: "Revenge" was at the center of her heart from the beginning of enrollment
Matsuko-san was interested in transferring from the moment she enrolled as a first-year university student.
And she said she had the intention to "transfer" in her mind the whole time.
In the background, there is her experience as a ronin.
She didn't get the results she wanted there, and she ended up at a "university she didn't originally plan to attend."
That is why her feelings of regret, or rather, her desire to "take revenge one more time," were strong.
This is extremely important.
You can challenge a transfer even if it's just "I want to change my environment somehow," but it tends to be a long battle.
That is why I think what supports you in the end is "the reason why I absolutely want to go" and "the reason why I want to be satisfied."
Started studying around April: First, information gathering and past exam research
She started studying right after enrolling, and she gradually started gathering information from around April.
Rather than suddenly buying reference books and grinding away, she first organized "what is a transfer?" for herself, requested materials from universities she was interested in, and
started with past exam research.
This order is very realistic.
Transfer systems vary by university, and the subjects and formats are different. Therefore, the first thing you should do is not get fired up, but rather 'verify' things.
How to decide on your target university: I created a strategy by categorizing them based on whether TOEIC is required.
Matsuko-san didn't aim for Kansai University from the very beginning; she applied to several other universities as well.
She mentioned that Kansai University was a 'university she aimed for after entering her second year'.
So, the first thing she did was categorize the universities she was applying to based on 'whether TOEIC is required'.
This perspective is quite strategic, and...
Universities that do not require TOEIC: Start with information gathering, past exam research, and drafting your statement of purpose.
Universities that require TOEIC (like Kandai): Long-term continuous TOEIC study.
By doing this, she made sure not to spread her efforts too thin.
Moreover, regarding English, she felt she had a 'cushion' from her time as a ronin student,
and after judging that 'English can be handled by my existing foundation,' she first focused on things specific to transfers, such as the statement of purpose.
What comes across here is the attitude of 'not trying to perfect everything at once'.
Because there is so much to do for a transfer, if you get the order wrong, you can easily fall apart.
How to fight in a world with little information: Internet + requesting materials + visiting in person.
The transfer world really doesn't have much information circulating.
Matsuko-san also took this as a premise and went out to get the information.
First, she checked the previous year's transfer exam requirements on the internet.
While some universities post past exams online,there are many past exams that can only be obtained by requesting them via mail.
What is even more impressive is the story about when she applied to Hosei University.
Hosei University, believe it or not, she actually went all the way to Tokyo to view and copy the past exams.
This is genuinely tough.
But the reality is that in transfers, 'the person who goes to get the information has the advantage'.
Depending on the university, some may have 'no photography' or 'viewing only' policies, so the initiative to go and get the information makes a direct difference.
Recommended study materials: Statement of purpose/interview books + StudySapuri for a significant TOEIC boost.
Matsuko-san mentioned two main types of study materials she would recommend to her juniors.
The first is a book that summarizes the basics of statements of purpose and interviews.
She said the title is vague, but the idea is that it's content where you can learn 'how to write a statement of purpose / how to conduct an interview,' and the price is around 2,000 yen.
Since almost everyone has to write a statement of purpose, knowing the format is incredibly effective.
If you write from scratch based on intuition, you often end up just wasting time...
And the second one is quite powerful.
It is StudySapuri ENGLISH (StudySapuri).
Matsuko-san's TOEIC score was 'around 300' when she first entered university, but it eventually 'rose to 620'.
She also feels that if it were an IP test, she 'could have easily raised it to around 730'.
Because I was the type who struggled with studying from books, a learning style that I could do anytime on my smartphone or PC really clicked for me.
And they clearly stated that they 'used it extensively'.
I think this is a very hopeful part.
Many people give up on transferring because English is a bottleneck, but this is a real-life example that 'you can improve depending on how you do it' 👍
Study routine: Finish assignments immediately, don't do them at home. Win at the library and cafes.
As a reason for being able to continue studying, the first thing Matsuko-san created was an 'environment'.
After entering university, I would finish reports and assignments on the very day they were given.
And create a state where I could concentrate on studying for the transfer.
This is subtle, but it's the strongest method.
In the end, having assignments pile up drains your mental energy, and your plans fall apart because you think, 'I have to do assignments instead of transfer study today...'
And the place for transfer study was not at home, but
the university library
a nearby cafe
Since I was bad at studying at home, I went out.
They said they rotated it like, 'do 2-3 hours, take a short break, then another 2-3 hours'.
Moreover, rather than cramming in a short period, they were the type to 'continue little by little' over a long period of two years.
This is realistic for transfers, and daily accumulation pays off in the end.
Reason for not breaking down mentally: I never once thought, 'I want to quit'
The scariest thing in a long battle is a mental breakdown.
However, Matsuko-san stated clearly, 'I never thought about quitting'.
Of course, there were times when it was tough.
But because I had 'regrets' or a 'purpose' for entering my current university, the idea of quitting the transfer never crossed my mind.
This 'lack of hesitation' is a strength.
A common trait among people who get results in transfers is that, rather than ability, they have a sense of 'not easily creating an option to go back'.
How to overcome the loneliness of having no peers: Go to your target school and be inspired by the atmosphere
However, the reason for the hardship was also real.
In a university that cannot be called high-level, there are no peers aiming for a mask-ronin (secretly studying for another entrance exam) or a transfer.
In other words, there was a lack of connection with people who had the same aspirations.
As for how they overcame that loneliness, they were extremely action-oriented:
Go to the target university, see the atmosphere around you and the appearance of seniors and classmates, and be inspired to reset your motivation
This looks easy, but few people actually do it.
But the effect is immense.
When you bathe in the 'atmosphere of the place you want to go', the meaning of studying becomes a reality 🔥
Commitment to self-study: I built my strategy around the principle of 'not spending money'
Regarding exam preparation, Matsuko-san is very clear.
Do not use prep schools or cram schools
Spend as little money as possible
Perhaps because I had the background of being allowed to spend a year as a ronin, I had a strong sense of 'not wanting to burden my family any further'.
And because the exam formats vary greatly depending on the university, I chose which schools to apply to based on factors like 'whether they use TOEIC' or 'whether there is an English test'.
Since Kansai University accepts TOEIC, I continued studying for TOEIC from around May of my first year until I passed. There were times I took a break, but overall, I 'kept at it consistently'.
As for past exam papers, rather than solving them intensely, I used them as a 'reference to see the trends'. Instead, I devoted my time to the statement of purpose and interview practice.
This is a major point. In transfer exams, being 'only strong in written tests' is often not enough to win, as documents and interviews determine the outcome. Therefore, this approach to time allocation is already like that of a successful candidate.
Breakthrough in interview preparation: I created a LINE group and built my own practice environment
The biggest problem with interview preparation is the 'lack of practice partners when studying alone'. Matsuko-san 'solved this herself'.
I set up a LINE group and gathered various people. I recruited seniors who had passed the transfer exam and other experienced people to hold regular volunteer interview practice sessions.
Receive feedback
Present the answers I prepared
Hold sessions regularly
She says that this system significantly improved her interview skills.
Moreover, the frequency was 'once a month', and the total number of sessions was 'around 10'. It was mentioned that this is more than the average examinee.
What we can learn from this is that the 'amount of practice' directly translates to stability in an interview. Not stuttering during the actual exam, not panicking, and being able to recover if you lose your train of thought—all of this is supported by the number of practice sessions.
Flow on the day of the exam: The Kansai University exam started at 11:30 AM, which was a relief since I'm not a morning person
The account of the day of the exam was also very specific.
While many other universities start at 8 or 9 in the morning, Kandai starts at 11:30 AM.
For Matsuko-san, who is not a morning person, this was a great start that helped her get into a good rhythm.
This kind of "start time" is often overlooked, but it directly affects your performance on the day.
Schools that suit your personal constitution are actually a strong advantage.
Specialized subjects (essay + terminology explanation): The 3 questions I got right and the 2 I didn't know
The specialized subjects for the Kandai Faculty of Letters (Education major) consist of:
Question 1: One standard essay
Question 2: Five questions asking to explain educational terminology
There are 6 questions in total, with a time limit of 90 minutes. The total score is 100 points.
Out of the 5 terminology questions, 3 were from the range I had studied just before, so I was "lucky."
But I had no idea about the remaining 2.
I didn't feel confident about the essay either, and I honestly felt like it might be tough.
I was writing until the very last minute, and managing the time was difficult.
This is incredibly realistic, and that's also where the salvation lies.
It's not the case that "you won't pass unless everything is perfect."
Even if there are questions you don't know, it's not the end.
Pass/fail is determined by the overall score, and you can sometimes make up for it in the interview later.
Break time before the interview: I recited my statement of purpose until I could say it without stumbling
After the specialized subjects, there was a break of "about an hour and a half" before the interview.
What I did during that time was the final input for my statement of purpose.
Matsuko-san says she:
recited her statement of purpose over and over again until she could say it without stumbling, making it perfect
.
Of course, she also refreshed, but she also dedicated time to preparation.
This balance is excellent.
Right before the exam, if you cram too much, you'll fall apart, and if you rest too much, you'll lose your focus.
So, the action of "polishing the core of what you need to say" is very logical.
I was called for the interview near the end. But that actually turned out to be a good thing
My turn for the interview was quite late; out of over 20 people (about 25-26), I wasn't called until the last 2 or 3.
The waiting time was another hour and a half or so.
Normally, you'd feel like you're "about to be crushed by nerves," but Matsuko-san felt that,
it was actually good, and she felt relieved and relaxed.
And then, the interview began.
I felt confident
It went better than other universities
The interview might have been the key to passing
they said.
The interviewer was kind. And my own strategy worked.
There were two interviewers, and the atmosphere was calm.
It was great that they told me, 'You don't need to be nervous,' as soon as I entered the room.
And here is an interesting strategy from Matsuko-san.
She usually wears glasses, but for the interview, she took them off.
She could see their eyes, but their expressions were blurred and harder to read.
She thought later that this helped ease her nervousness.
This is logical.
People who get nervous in interviews often over-analyze the other person's expressions and end up sabotaging themselves by thinking, 'Was that bad?'
So, reducing unnecessary information is a solid strategy.
The questions asked were orthodox: digging deeper into the statement of purpose
The questions asked in the Kandai interview were quite standard.
They were in the form of digging deeper into the statement of purpose.
In other words, ultimately, the strongest thing in an interview is,
writing a solid statement of purpose and being prepared to answer no matter what they ask
It all comes down to this.
The interview is not just casual conversation; it is an extension of the statement of purpose.
If the document is shallow, the interview will be shallow too.
If the document is impactful, the interview will naturally become stronger.
Message from the successful candidate: 'Hard work doesn't always pay off.' But I want you to value your time.
The message shared at the end was very sincere.
Matsuko-san prefaced it by saying it would be presumptuous for her to give advice, but she shared it as something she still wanted to convey.
She studied hard during her high school years, her ronin years, and her transfer exam preparation.
Based on that, she views the common saying 'hard work always pays off' like this.
It's not that hard work always pays off, but rather,
it's better to have the mindset that hard work pays off for some people.
This isn't meant to be cold; it's actually meant with kindness.
Many people aiming for transfer have high goals, so there are those whose hard work doesn't pay off.
That's why, if you believe in hard work like it's 'magic,' you'll end up breaking.
And there was one other thing they emphasized strongly: 'time'.
People aiming for transfer sacrifice their precious youth to study.
Matsuko-san herself couldn't really live a typical college student life for two years.
That is precisely why, if you are wavering halfway, I want you to consider it properly.
If you think it's too tough, giving up and enjoying your college life while studying at your current university is also a perfectly valid choice.
It's not easy for someone who has passed to say things like this.
But that's exactly why it hits home.
'Transferring is not the only right answer.'
'If you are determined to do it, it is worth it.'
They are conveying that reality properly.
Even so, it is worth the challenge. It becomes a step up in life.
At the end of the interview, the interviewer also said this.
College life is just a fleeting moment in four years. Whether you spend it playing or studying, it's all a fleeting moment.
How you use your time is up to you.
If you aim for a transfer, there are many things you will have to sacrifice.
But beyond that, there might be fun things waiting for you, or it could lead to a step up in your life.
Therefore,
'I want to try my best at least once'
If you can think that way, there is no harm in aiming for it.
This sense of temperature is just right, isn't it?
They don't force you into it.
But they do push you forward.
If you are currently wavering about transferring.
What's important is not 'whether you are suited for it,' but
making a choice that you can be satisfied withI think.
If you do it, be determined.
If you don't, give it your all where you are now.
You are the only one who can make either choice the right one ✊🔥
Conclusion | To those of you who thought, 'Maybe I want to try the transfer exam'
Transfer exams have little information available and bring a lot of anxiety.
However, there is a common thread among those who pass.
Thoroughly researching the trends of the transfer exam for the school you are applying to
Creating a preparation schedule by working backward from the exam date
Not giving in to temptation and honestly proceeding with the correct preparation
If you master these three points, you can definitely aim for success.
If you are hesitating, now is the time to act.
Actually, university transfer is a chance to choose your career path again, it's just not widely known.
You can challenge the university you wanted to attend again
You can change your current environment
You can re-learn what you want to study
However, because there is so little information, most people get stuck wondering, 'Can I really do this?' or 'Where should I even start?'
- Do I meet the eligibility requirements for my target university?
- Is there enough time for me to prepare for the exam?
- How should I plan my backup university applications?
- Which subjects should I start with?
Many people get lost in the information even if they try hard to gather it.This is because the timing to start preparing for transfer exams and the academic situation at the start are completely different for everyone.
General advice on transfer exam preparation alone will not provide the answers you need.
That is why the Online Transfer Academy offers 'Free Individual Consultations (Online)'.
<<What you can do in a free individual consultation>>
✅ Understand the admission strategy tailored to your target university
✅ See specifically 'what you need to do now'
✅ Resolve your anxieties and questions on the spot
'I haven't decided if I'm going to take the exam yet.' That stage is perfectly fine.
Just by talking, your thoughts will be organized and you will see 'your own' policy for transfer exam preparation.
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Time spent hesitating = time lost.
Now is the time to start if you want to change.
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