Hey everyone. So, i've finally conceded and have decided to attend College in Japan(Originally I wanted to do an exchange during my senior year of High School, but due to a sub-par GPA, that didn't work out.). I'll be starting my Senior year by the end of next month, and i'm looking to get a head start on finding a college so I know how much money i'll need to save up.

As of right now, i've looked in to two colleges: The University of Tokyo, and Toyo University Tokyo Campus. Both are excellent schools and affordable ones at that. The problem I found with Tokyo U is that Undergraduate education is split up between 2 different campuses in Tokyo. That didn't sit well with me. Mostly small reasons. One of the places i'd like to visit while in Japan would be Akihabara, for obvious reasons. I found that the campus for Freshmen and Sophmore students, is pretty much on the opposite end of Tokyo, in the Meguro District. However, this is also offset by the relatively low yearly tuition of US$1,000 - $5,000. Which means i'd have more money to spare for personal expenses.

Toyo University on the other hand, is located in Bunkyo, which is right below Akihabara. A rather ideal location in my opinion. However, the tuition price also took a bit of hike, being US$5,000 - $7,500 per year.

Now, I have a whole list of Colleges to go through, TODAI and Toyo being only two. However, I was hoping anyone on here could help me out with my search, as well as give some advice, suggestions, or opinions about going to College in Japan. Though, there are specific criteria i'm looking for in terms of colleges: Must be in Tokyo, Less than US$10,000 yearly tuition, offers a Bachelors Degree in Performing Arts and/or Literature, and only requires an entrance exam(Or, if possible, no extrance exam). Really, my only preference, is that it's close to Akihabara, and isn't too hard to get into.

Anything anyone can tell me would be greatly appreciated. And if anyone has some stories, I wouldn't mind hearing them.

hey save up tha money and find a free day to go there by train or any means posible, thats the best choice as for my opinion .

I would honestly go to Tokyo U, which is the cheaper one. You can save up to go to Akihabara on break or something, and you'd just have more money in general to live and tourist around the country.

My biggest concern about you going to college in Japan is: do you know the language? You can't expect to go to a college in another country and survive there without knowing how to read their language, at least.

>>3 I'm currently using Pimsleur to learn how to speak Japanese. Each lesson is half an hour, and you only do one a day. There is 30 lessons in each of the 3 levels. So a total of 3 months worth of lessons, all in mp3 format. So far, i've done the first 2 lessons, back in December, and I still remember what I learned in them and can speak what I learned fluently. However, they don't teach you how to read and write since it's all audio. I may have to run out and get Rosetta Stone for that, or possibly something else. I also have apps on my phone to learn Katakana, Hiragana, Kanji, and the numbers.

>>4 Don't do Rosetta Stone. I keep hearing about how crap it is xD

There is a very good app called JPhrases that I learned how to read/write Japanese in. If you're confident in being fluent in the language by the time you go to college, then you shouldn't be worried :)

>>5 The thing is, the time I leave for college isn't predetermined. I'll apply and leave once i've saved up enough money for at least 2 years of College. That's including planet tickets, money to get a ride to the College, room and board, and money for personal expenses. All in all, it should take me no more than 3 to 3 and a half years. I've set a deadline for myself. No later than when i'm 21. I have other dreams associated with going to Japan. If they come true, they don't, plain and simple, but at least I tried.

I just learned that the program i've been using to learn Japanese is out of date, so i'll have to find something else if Rosetta Stone is as bad as they say. Perhaps a class isn't so bad, but still.