April 22, 2014
We are announcing the following changes to AO Admissions for Period I of April 2015 enrollment and onward. For details, please check the AO Admissions Application Guidelines for Period I and Period II of April 2015 enrollment and for September 2015 enrollment, which are scheduled to be released in early May 2014.
Please note that there are no changes to the AO Admissions for September 2014 enrollment; they will be conducted as described in the application guidelines released in May 2013.
1. Introduction of the IB Track
Starting with AO Admissions for Period I of April 2015 enrollment, we will introduce a new "IB Track" for applicants who have obtained or are expected to obtain the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
・It will be offered three times a year: for Period I of April enrollment, Period II of April enrollment, and for September enrollment.
・In addition to the eligibility requirements for AO Admissions Track A, applicants must have obtained or be expected to obtain the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma by March 31, 2015 (or by September 21, 2015, for AO Admissions for September 2015 enrollment). (Please note that even if an applicant is accepted based on expected completion, their admission will be revoked if they fail to obtain the Diploma.)
・The required application documents are, in principle, the same as those for Track A, with the addition of an "IB transcript and Diploma (if already obtained)" or "Predicted Grades and a certificate of expected completion (if pending)."
・The first screening (document review) and second screening (interview) will be conducted on the same schedule as Track A.
2. Regarding Track B
(Changes to Required Application Materials)
Starting with AO Admissions for Period I of April 2015 enrollment, the following changes will be made to the "Required Application Materials."
・The "Activity Report" will be mandatory, not optional.
・The "Free Description" section of the "Statement of Purpose, Study Plan after Enrollment, and Self-Appeal" will be mandatory, not optional.
3. Regarding Track C
(Changes to Required Application Materials)
Starting with AO Admissions for Period I of April 2015 enrollment, the following changes will be made to the "Required Application Materials."
・The "Activity Report" will be mandatory, not optional.
・The "Free Description" section of the "Statement of Purpose, Study Plan after Enrollment, and Self-Appeal" will be mandatory, not optional.
4. Regarding the Second Screening
(Change in Instructions)
Starting with AO Admissions for Period I of April 2015 enrollment, the instructions for the second screening will be as follows for all tracks (A, B, C, and IB).
"An interview will be conducted for those who pass the first screening. Please gather at the date, time, and location specified at the time of the first screening results announcement, bringing your examination admission ticket and writing utensils. The final admission decision will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of both the first screening and the interview.
The time allotted for each interview is approximately 30 minutes."