Questions in using research experience in SOP

[Adip]

Hello,

I am an international applicant for mechanical engineering. Currently I am working as a research associate at college and want to use this experience for SOP and other admission related documents. In future, I will have to show proof of my current researh experience. I will get experience certificate for current position. I have some questions regarding this.

1. Who need to sign the experince letter? Any specific person?
   
2. Do I need to mention working hours or full time, part time etc.?
   

Please help me in this matter. Thanks.

[MCS_aspirant]

In most of the cases, you can't send documents that are not required (e.g. experience certificate). It is highly discouraged, and clearly stated on most of the schools' websites. Just talk about your achievements in your SOP, and describe your position on your resume/vitae. It may be relevant to indicate full time/part time on the resume. However, if your research advisor is writing you a letter, he/she would cover these things in his/her letter too.

I am an international student too with an undergrad degree from a US university. I have worked at several labs, but never had any certificate... I guess experience certificate is more like an south asian thing (I am not sure where you are from though, but in south asia- certificates are very critical).