I’m applying for Waseda SILS 4 year course as a Japanese citizen. I’m planning to study mainly finance, accounting, and a bit of economics and coding. I want to eventually work in a foreign investment/finance related company in Japan for a few years then transfer to the US (for higher earning potential). From what I’ve read on reddit, people say that going to a Japanese uni is a bad idea because it’s not recognized. But I can’t afford to go overseas even with a scholarship due to living expenses. So the best option I have is to get transferred overseas. Which is what my counselor recommend, and since Waseda has a strong brand, I would have a easier time finding a job in companies in Japan (she also included foreign companies’ Japanese branches). My school counselor used to be contracted to Lehman Brothers before they went bankrupt, Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, HSBC, (all Japanese branches) with numerous connection to employees there, but I’m still concerned so I want to hear you’re guys opinions on this. (Sorry for the long wall of text i wanted to provide as much information as possible)
6 comments
In terms of alumni in finance, Todai, Keio, Hitotsubashi are more seen but there are some Waseda alums here and there.
I think if you can get into PEAK or GIGA it may be better, but at the end of the day it all comes down to shukatsu and going well in interviews.
“Finance, accounting, and a bit of economics and coding” aren’t exactly SILS’ strong points. If you want to get into finance, I don’t understand why you’d be applying for Waseda’s Liberal Arts school rather than applying to the (much more prestigious) school of Political Science and Economics for either the BA Economics or BA Global Political Economy degree.
The choice of school within the university does matter – aside from the fact that hiring staff at employers do recognise the difference, the subjects you’ll study and the depth you’ll study them in also differ massively. I’m not knocking SILS – as far as the usual “four years of pretty relaxed study and socialising before going into the workforce” degrees goes, they’re one of the better and more interesting schools – but for your specific goals, SPSE actually teaches statistical analysis, programming, etc., and has a much better OB/OG network in areas like finance. (There’s also the School of Commerce at Waseda, which is reasonably well-regarded and would have more finance/management type courses, but iirc they don’t have an English-language track, if that’s a concern.)
I wouldn’t join sils for any of those things. Waseda has better programs for finance and business than the liberal arts language school. As a Waseda alumn I love the school, but if you can get into a better school for what you’re looking for, I’d try.
Fine if you, as you say, are planning to work in Japan for a few years and then transfer. Not so much if you want to work in the US/Europe right after graduation.
Going to a top US school right away will give you best of both worlds.
W PSE (the Japanese language program, at least) has grade deflation compared to SILS. The top students have a GPA of 3.6–3.8. I have heard rumors that classes in the English diploma program are lax compared to its Japanese counterpart, however.
SILS seems to be hard for students from a background but is rather easy for people with adequate English proficiency. I have looked at your post history saying that you have Temple as a backup option to SILS, but I would be very surprised if you get rejected from SILS (or Keio econ or ICU, for that matter). I dare say you have a chance at PSE as well if you prepare for the 共通テスト. This is assuming that you take the 一般入試 approach, which is what I did.
I am a PSE student but I would suggest looking into Keio econ A方式 if your Japanese is strong enough for you to be able to withstand classes in Japanese. They only test applicants in English and mathematics.
I don’t have much information on future grad outcome, sorry.
Should’ve gone with Temple if you wanted to do finance.
SILS is liberal arts. Not exactly finance related.
Temple has an international business major that will teach you finance, economics, marketing, and human resources. They also have an MBA program as well.
I went to Temple and I work in a foreign bank in Japan. Also have a colleague that’s an earlier Temple grad.
If I wanted to transfer to our US branch it probably wouldn’t be too difficult.
I would suggest taking that path.
Liberal arts won’t help you get into the financial industry. Not impossible, but it won’t make it easier, while having a business degree will.