Recommandations for language schools (if possible linked to universities?)

Hello,

I saw on reddit many useful recommendations posts for language schools and I’d like to ask advices for my case also.

I applied to Waseda’s CJL’s program and will know if I am admitted around November 20th. From what I understood, they take only 200 out 1000 candidates 😭😭 I am looking for a plan B so that I can go to Japan anyways in April 2025.

What got me genuinely interested in CJL is the university settings – to be able to join students circles and even to take open wide university classes. Also I liked the wide curriculum of 200+ classes.

So far the other schools I got a bit interested in are:
– the Kyoto Institute of Culture and Language, within the University of Arts. I already lived in Kyoto and loved it but I was interested in going to Tokyo this time
– the Yokohama Design school, a language program within a vocational school. But from what i understand it offers only classes up to level N2? I am already at the start of level N2 I think, so I am more looking for schools that allows to start from N2 -> N1. Also it’s not too far from Tokyo, but I guess for me the ideal location of a school would be around Shinjuku.

Otherwise the option I am leaning towards is to take the cheapest language school around Shinjuku, study there for six months, use this opportunity to visit the universities in Tokyo, take the EJU and transfer to an university.

So I was wondering if you had more recommendations, either for schools similar to CJL in their opportunities for interaction with Japanese students, either for cheaper schools in Tokyo that offer six months long program? (The cheapest option is around 400 000 yen per six months right?)

Thank you