Well, I’ve already covered the decision to apply to labs in part I and whether or not to include your blog on your cv and my fretting over creating the perfect cover letter in part II. Now its time for me to turn my attention to that important element for grad students who still have a size-able chunk of their research unpublished and still in the works…the research summary.

I have been lucky in that my research has not strayed very far from the goals I first laid out in my advisory meeting and prelim exam. Determine A and B, which influence the directions of objective C, and throw in objective D for a more quest of knowledge sort-of project.

The challenge for writing my research summary is to condense each of my projects into a neat paragraph of 4-6 sentences and come up with a snazzy graphic/table/chart to go with each project.

I think I have succeeded and the architecture of my research summary goes like this:

Paragraph 1
Abstract of my entire graduate career’s research and its potential impact in less than 200 words (it all seems so neat and clear and straightforward when i read only this part…)

Paragraph 2 and Image 1
First project now completed and published with summary chart of results included (this part being a tad redundant)

Paragraph 3 and Image 2
Second project almost completed (manuscript in progress attached to instill hope that it will be finished soon!) and summary chart of results so far

Paragraph 4
Third project (the quest of knowledge one) that I found impossible to really make a figure for

Paragraph 5 and Image 3
Fourth project that if it succeeds will be soooooooo sweet and informative graphic included

Paragraph 6
Summary of what I just said. I’m wondering if this comes off as an insult to the reader, suggesting they can’t remember what they just finished reading?

Hmmm, somehow my research summary turned into your typical high-schooler’s 5-6 paragraph essay…