Needing advice on my CV :(

[Immuno]

Most of the graduate programs I am applying to do not request a CV, but I've heard that it is a smart idea to include one anyway.

My problem is.....I'm not really sure what I would put in a CV. I'm an undergraduate and do not have any publications, posters, etc. I have 3 years of research experience, but I've been in the same lab so it would only be ONE point on my CV. I haven't really received any honors, unless undergraduate scholarships count (I've received tons of those, but I don't know if it is relevant) So basically, I'm afraid my CV will look empty and pathetic. Suggestions? Anyone else in a similar position?

[singlecell]

Definitely include those merit based scholarships on your CV. What about Dean's List? Any clubs, volunteer work relevant to biology? Has your name been in the author list of any posters or talks presented by your PI, postdocs, or grad students from your lab? Then that should be included under presentations. If you have not been included on any posters or talks and you have been with the lab for 3 years (impressive, by the way!) I think it is appropriate for you to ask to be included so you can beef up the CV. You can join professional societies for pretty cheap as a student. For instance I joined ASBMB for $20/year and now I can include it under Memberships. Did you get any certifications such as radiation training to work in your lab? Those can go under Certifications/Special Training. Have you done any tutoring or peer leading? Those can be extra points under experience.

Good luck!

[mandarin.orange]

Most of the graduate programs I am applying to do not request a CV, but I've heard that it is a smart idea to include one anyway.

My problem is.....I'm not really sure what I would put in a CV. I'm an undergraduate and do not have any publications, posters, etc. I have 3 years of research experience, but I've been in the same lab so it would only be ONE point on my CV. I haven't really received any honors, unless undergraduate scholarships count (I've received tons of those, but I don't know if it is relevant) So basically, I'm afraid my CV will look empty and pathetic. Suggestions? Anyone else in a similar position?

I had to include a CV on my applications. As you contact profs you are thinking of working with, it is useful to attach the CV for them to look over.

Singlecell makes many great suggestions. Definitely include your scholarships. Also, list the years ("2008-2011" or whatever) that you have worked in that lab; I think your longevity there balances out the fact that, as you pointed out, it is only one point. It at least shows a long-term commitment to a lab or project.

[natsteel]

As you contact profs you are thinking of working with, it is useful to attach the CV for them to look over.

I don't know about this. It's actually not a good idea to attach unsolicited materials when initially contacting profs. For one, it could get put in their spam folder or they might be wary of opening an email with an attachment from an unknown sender.

If a prof asks you for your CV by all means send it, but sending it unsolicited probably isn't a very good idea.

As for the CV itself, include sections with headings EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT (academic-related only), [PUBLICATIONS (if any), PRESENTATIONS (if any)], HONORS AND SERVICE (your scholarships, Deans' Lists, organization/club involvement if you were an officer), and REFERENCES. In History, many people include RESEARCH INTERESTS and give two lines of what they are interested in. In some fields, if it is especially pertinent, some will include a LANGUAGES heading.

[fuzzylogician]

I don't know about this. It's actually not a good idea to attach unsolicited materials when initially contacting profs. For one, it could get put in their spam folder or they might be wary of opening an email with an attachment from an unknown sender.

If a prof asks you for your CV by all means send it, but sending it unsolicited probably isn't a very good idea.

I agree with this. What you could do instead of sending an attachment is to make a very basic website where you upload your CV (in text form, not as a file, to make it easiest to access). Professors are probably likelier to click on a link than to open a file anyway.

[mandarin.orange]

Hmmm...it did work for me and I got a very fast, positive response from the PI I ultimately chose to work with. In the correspondence I drummed up with other profs, it was clear they had reviewed it, as they mentioned specific things about my degree or prior work. I found many examples and recommendations online that this was perfectly acceptable. But I realize this is only anecdotal evidence.

[Eigen]

For CVs where you don't have a lot of pubs or presentations, I'd add a section titled "experience" under which you can put leadership, teaching and research, with more detail on what, specifically, you can do in a research lab.... Instruments you can use, techniques, etc.

[Immuno]

Thanks to everyone for all the GREAT suggestions! You've made me aware of a few things I wouldn't have thought to add before.

Unfortunately, my name hasn't even been added way down the list on any pubs, posters, etc. The PI that I work for is the very selfish type...even his research associate has only gotten her name way down the list on 2 pubs, and she has been working for him for 20 years. I've thought about trying to get out and find another research job where I actually have a chance at a pub, but I feel that it is too late now considering I will be applying to grad school in a few months.

A few other things:

Last semester I participated in a directed individual study where I created my own reseach project. It wasn't a huge deal. I wrote a short paper (5-6 pages), but didn't publish or present anywhere. Could I include this on a CV, and if so, under what heading?

Also, I recently gave a 40 minute lecture on autoimmunity to a group of 35 students, but I'm not sure if I could include that anywhere. I was actually a member of the class to which I was lecturing, and i basically only volunteered to ensure that I got an A in the class (Lecturing was not a class requirement, but the professor doesn't have any set grading system and basically gives students A's if they "show initiative"). Is it even worth mentioning?

[singlecell]

Thanks to everyone for all the GREAT suggestions! You've made me aware of a few things I wouldn't have thought to add before.

Unfortunately, my name hasn't even been added way down the list on any pubs, posters, etc. The PI that I work for is the very selfish type...even his research associate has only gotten her name way down the list on 2 pubs, and she has been working for him for 20 years. I've thought about trying to get out and find another research job where I actually have a chance at a pub, but I feel that it is too late now considering I will be applying to grad school in a few months.

A few other things:

Last semester I participated in a directed individual study where I created my own reseach project. It wasn't a huge deal. I wrote a short paper (5-6 pages), but didn't publish or present anywhere. Could I include this on a CV, and if so, under what heading?

Also, I recently gave a 40 minute lecture on autoimmunity to a group of 35 students, but I'm not sure if I could include that anywhere. I was actually a member of the class to which I was lecturing, and i basically only volunteered to ensure that I got an A in the class (Lecturing was not a class requirement, but the professor doesn't have any set grading system and basically gives students A's if they "show initiative"). Is it even worth mentioning?

I am sorry to hear your PI isn't invested in helping you get any publications. It sounds as though you deserve to have been published "way down the list." I have another idea though. Can you look for a school-wide or regional research symposium for undergrads, and convince the PI to let you you prepare a poster for that? Many science societies have undergrad poster competitions at their annual and regional meetings, and I thought most universities had a student research showcase as well. That would basically ensure you have to be first author, since you as the undergrad are the presenter. I did a bunch of these and it added many lines to my CV, but I am lucky to have a PI who wants students to present a lot.

As for the directed individual study, I am not too sure.. obviously it is not a formal publication you can list, but perhaps you can list this as experience in experimental design and execution. Maybe highlight that you asked an original question, designed the study, and carried it out. Even undergrads in the most famous research labs do not normally get to ask their own questions so that is pretty cool I think!

I would definitely include the lecturing you did for class as "peer leading" or something similar. In general I think all these things you did are amazing, it is just a matter of finding the right way to spin it to make you stand out to the AdComs. You are being quite proactive in starting now so I think you will do really well. Incidentally, is your PI writing one of your letters of recommendation?

[Eigen]

I'm going to refer some of your questions to the CHE thread on CVs: Lots of good advice in there. It's mostly aimed for higher level CVs, but it can certainly give you a good feel for how different fields react to different things on CVs. It's mostly focused on what not to do, and can be quite helpful in avoiding some obvious slip-ups.

http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,39038.0.html

[Immuno]

Singlecell, I really appreciate the confidence-booster. It comes at a much needed time. I know I'm starting early, but I'm already stressing out!

Yes, my PI will be writing one of my rec letters. I've heard that he thinks highly of me, so I am expecting his letter to strengthen my application.

My school's undergraduate research symposium was held a couple of months ago. I realize now that I made a HUGE mistake by not trying to get involved with that, but to be honest, I didn't even know my school was having it until two days before. My state in general is quite limiting. I'm searching for other opportunities, but I'm not sure that I'll be successful before applying to grad school. If only I would have been aware of this message board 2-3 years ago.

[singlecell]

You're welcome Immuno! Good to hear that your PI will write you a strong letter. Feel free to pm your CV draft to me (you can remove personal info) if you want; I can send you mine of you want to see a template.

[runonsentence]

Last semester I participated in a directed individual study where I created my own reseach project. It wasn't a huge deal. I wrote a short paper (5-6 pages), but didn't publish or present anywhere. Could I include this on a CV, and if so, under what heading?

I include these kinds of things in section titled "Manuscripts and Projects." It's good to show that you have some projects in progress that your'e working on (in grad school, it's valued to have cycles of projects—moving from one project to another). Just frame it as a project you're developing to present or publish.

Also, it's GREAT to have a project "under review" on your CV. So you could also try sending it out to journals/conferences for consideration while you're applying.