Qualifications

Applicants who have completed at least one full academic year at an undergraduate degree-conferring institution(s) as a regular student.

Application Procedure

Application will be accepted through the following on-line application system during the application period. https://sophia.applyjapan.com/
If you cannot access to the on-line system or that you can not make payment by credit card/ChinaPay Service/PayPal, please contact the Sophia Admissions Office before the application deadline.

Application Schedule

(1) Spring 2013 entry:
Application period: October 15 through November 15, 2012
＊Application materials must reach Sophia Admissions Office by November 22, 2012. Late applications may be refused.
Notice of results on the Sophia website: 10:00 a.m. (JST), December 12, 2012

(2) Autumn 2013 entry:
Application period: March 12 through April 12, 2013
＊Application materials must reach Sophia Admissions Office by April 19, 2013. Late applications may be refused.
Notice of results on the Sophia website: 10:00 a.m. (JST), May 15, 2013

Application Fee

35,000 yen
Payment should be made by credit card or through Chinapay service or PayPal, using the online application system during the application period. The application fee is non-refundable once it is paid.

Application Documents

The following documents (A to H) except the official test scores of TOEFL/IELTS should be enclosed in an envelope and sent to the following address by express registered mail or international courier service. They must reach Sophia Admissions Office by the deadline of submission. Late application may be refused.
TOEFL/IELTS scores must be delivered directly to Sophia University from the testing service by the application deadline.
On the envelope, please make sure to write:

Note:
・　Documents printed in languages other than English or Japanese should be translated into English and certified by a school official or an official agency, such as an embassy or consulate.
・　Acknowledgement of receipt of application materials will be mailed out within three weeks after the application deadline.
・　If an original document cannot be reissued (e.g. a school report handwritten by a teacher), a copy certified by the school official (Principal or Registrar) or Sophia Admissions Office is acceptable.
・　The application documents once submitted are not refundable.

A. Application Forms (2 pages)
Application forms should be filled out through the web application system (https://sophia.applyjapan.com/) and printed out after the application fee payment.

B. Official Transcript(s)
An official transcript showing all courses taken and grades received from the most recent academic institution attended must be submitted. The transcript should be certified by a school official and be officially sealed in a school envelope.

C. Standardized Test Scores (Optional)
If an applicant has taken one of the following in the past, submission of results is recommended.
1) SAT (Reasoning Test) Scores
2) ACT with Writing Scores
3) IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma

D. Proof of English Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)
Applicants must prove their English proficiency by taking the TOEFL or the IELTS (Academic). It should be taken not more than two years before the application deadline. The official test score must be delivered directly to Sophia from each testing institution. When registering for these tests, be sure to indicate Sophia University to ensure that your official scores is sent to Sophia University. For TOEFL, Sophia’s institution code is 0819.

For information about TOEFL and IELTS and test registration, please refer to the following websites.
TOEFL http://www.ets.org/toefl
IELTS http://www.ielts.org

Note:
・TOEFL or IELTS can be waived if a student has studied at least five years out of the last six years in an institution where English is the primary medium of instruction, or holds a CPE on Cambridge ESOL Examination.
・If the official score has not been delivered by the application deadline, the application will be considered incomplete. Applicants are advised to order the delivery of the official scores in advance as it may take more than 4 weeks for the scores to be delivered to Sophia University.　The scores can be sent to Sophia prior to the application period.

E. Three Letters of Recommendation (use forms provided PDF / Word )
Letters of recommendation from three teachers and/or officials of the most recent school(s) attended by the applicant must be submitted. Each letter must be sealed in a separate envelope with the recommender’s signature written across the seal.

F. Essay 　　　　
An English essay of approximately 500 words giving the applicant's reasons for wishing to study at Sophia University must be submitted.

G. Certificate of Health (use the form provided ) 　　　　
A medical certificate completed within the previous 6 months, signed by a practicing physician and indicating that the applicant is physically fit to attend university and do the required academic work, must be submitted.

Note: Any applicants with physical conditions that might require special attention when undertaking university work should notify the Sophia Admissions Office in writing before the application period.

H. Application Materials Checklist (use the form provided ) 　 　　　　
Check the items you enclose in your application.

Screening

Decision on acceptance or rejection will be based on screening of documents submitted by the applicant.

Notice of Results

Applicants can confirm their acceptance/rejection through the Sophia official website below from 10:00 a.m. (JST) on the results-notice date (See APPLICATION SCHEDULE).
http://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/e_top
For the accepted applicants, an acceptance letter and documents for matriculation will be sent out.
Note:
・ Sophia University will not disclose the results of an application by telephone, fax or e-mail.
・ Acceptance is valid only for the semester specified in the letter of acceptance.
・ If the acceptance letter has not reached you within one week after the results-notice date, successful applicants are requested to inquire at the Sophia Admissions Office.