While your research experience might be tied to an educational context, this strategy is separated out because of its importance in the SoP, especially for STEM disciplines and doctoral programs across disciplines. Here, you will want to demonstrate that you have relevant and meaningful research experience. Such examples of this strategy might include: work in research groups/labs; collaboration with professor; lab experience; independent research; thesis or capstone project; conference attendance and presentations; internships if research-focused; results from research; implementation of results; interest/enjoyment of experience; and a realization from the experience. If you have research experience, you are strongly encouraged to write about your involvement in the experience in your SoP.
Notice in the examples below how the writers do not simply list what they did during their research experience, but they engage in what they learned from the experience. This is an example of moving beyond simply summarizing your CV, and instead, giving context and creating meaning out of a given research experience.
My participation with Dr. Wade’s lab inspired my current independent research project further exploring resilience factors in the Black community. Specifically, this project examines the intersectionality of religion and the Black experience revolving around discrimination and racial identity. As this project is ongoing, I am in the process of examining the role of religious commitment and racial identity as protective measures against the psychological distress that often results from the discrimination and racism that Black individuals endure. This project is important in my transition from undergrad to graduate school because it provides an opportunity for me to conduct my own research based on my specific research interests.
A year later, I began as a master’s student under Dr. Zuniga’s mentorship. Throughout the master’s program, I have been able to learn and grow as a student and scientist by leading EMG data collections, utilizing MATLAB for data processing, and advanced statistical analysis related to my project meanwhile designing and developing 3D-printed prosthetics for children with upper limb reductions and understanding the changes in muscle activity over time through prosthetic use. The coursework challenged me to understand the mechanisms underlying motor control and learning.
