Research Experience Outside Academia

[ElanMorin]

My question is how research experience outside academia looks on a CV / graduate application for PhD programs. I've worked professionally doing survey and market research for the last several years, both political (campaigns, public affairs) and more traditional corporate stuff. I'd like to think I've learned as much or more about statistics and research methodology in the workplace as I would have as a research assistant to a professor.

Will adcomms care at all about this since its research experience outside academia? What is the best way to position this in my application (and how much emphasis should I put on it)?

I'm looking at PhD programs mostly in the 20-50 range.

Edited October 1, 2010 by ElanMorin

[mrmirv]

My question is how research experience outside academia looks on a CV / graduate application for PhD programs. I've worked professionally doing survey and market research for the last several years, both political (campaigns, public affairs) and more traditional corporate stuff. I'd like to think I've learned as much or more about statistics and research methodology in the workplace as I would have as a research assistant to a professor.

Will adcomms care at all about this since its research experience outside academia? What is the best way to position this in my application (and how much emphasis should I put on it)?

I'm looking at PhD programs mostly in the 20-50 range.

I think it will help but it won't be your entry path to your desired school. What are you grades? GRE Scores?