Nihon University College of Art — Acceptance Interview
An international student who dreamed of attending a Japanese art university since middle school shares her story of overcoming the setback of rejection from her first-choice school to earn acceptance at Nihon University College of Art.
Motivation and School Selection
L, an international student from Taiwan, began considering attending a Japanese art university during her second or third year of middle school and started learning Japanese at the same time. After arriving in Japan, she learned about the “Go-Bidai” (five major art universities) and set Joshibi University of Art and Design as her first choice.
“The atmosphere at Joshibi was so warm — both the teachers and students had such a gentle feeling. I really loved it.”
During high school, she developed a strong interest in media-related fields such as 3D, CG, and advertising. After deliberating between an illustration major and media major, she ultimately chose media.
Biggest Setback
L was rejected from her first-choice school, Joshibi University of Art and Design, at the document screening stage.
“It was the hardest thing. But I told myself I didn’t have time to stay depressed.”
With encouragement from her parents, she managed to shift her mindset and move forward. In the days leading up to her exams, there were nights she couldn’t sleep from nervousness, but being able to continue creating artwork under her teacher’s guidance became an important emotional support.
Exam Details
Nihon University College of Art (Accepted)
• First Screening (December 7): Four-hour practical exam to compose and draw using “a white cloth, a can of cola, a paper balloon, and an imaginary box.” Approximately 80 applicants.
- Some applicants were rejected for misreading the conditions for the “imaginary box.”
• Second Screening (December 14): Interview with 2 professors and 1 student (5–8 minutes).
- Questions covered reasons for applying, explanations of 5 submitted works, and plans after enrollment.
- “It was friendlier than I expected — we even talked about anime.”
- Approximately 50 applicants, many of whom were international students from China or South Korea.
Tama Art University (Concurrent Application)
• First Screening (December 18): 800-character essay + 3-hour practical exam drawing “a hand holding a screwdriver”
• Second Screening (December 19): 3-minute portfolio presentation + Q&A session with numerous detailed questions about portfolio works.
Exam Preparation and KEI Advance Utilization
L enrolled at Kawaijuku Art Institute in April. Initially, she struggled with color composition due to differences in approach from what she had learned in her home country. She began working on her portfolio in August. For interview preparation, she also utilized KEI Advance’s Japanese language courses.
“I started taking the course in October. I was able to learn practical things like interview flow and how to respond to questions, which really boosted my confidence. Even when I got nervous during the actual exam, I didn’t get stuck for words, and that really helped.”
Looking back on essay preparation, she regrets starting so late: “I should have started much earlier.”
Advice for Future Applicants
- Trust your teachers’ guidance
“Kawaijuku Art Institute has accumulated know-how for getting into each art university. Following their guidance is far more reliable than going your own way.” - Start Japanese preparation early
“KEI Advanced’s Japanese courses are also useful for interview preparation. Once you get comfortable with Japanese, anxiety about interviews and essays decreases significantly.” - Adapt proactively to new environments
“Ask questions immediately when you don’t understand something, and be proactive about finding ways to adjust when things don’t suit you.”
Being able to accurately read exam instructions, express your thoughts in an interview, and complete an essay within the time limit — all of these ultimately depend on Japanese language ability as a foundation. It would be such a waste if the artistic skills you’ve worked so hard to develop can’t be fully demonstrated due to a language barrier. Japanese proficiency is essential for art university admission.
L turned her setback into a stepping stone and achieved remarkable growth. We wholeheartedly support her as she begins her new creative activities and student life at Nihon University College of Art this spring, and sincerely hope it will be wonderfully fulfilling.
※Exam content, number of applicants, etc. are based on the applicant’s personal experience.
※The thumbnail image was created using generative AI.
