CV and research interests

[StatsNerd]

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I'm getting ready to send out emails to POIs at my top schools to see if they are accepting students this year. This means I am also updating/polishing my CV (I could easily start another thread about "to attach CV or not" when contacting professors, lots of differing opinions out there!). Anyway, with regards to CVs in general:

I have a lot of research experience, but very little of it is specifically related to what I want to research in a doctoral program. I'm finishing up an experimental master's program this year though, and my thesis IS related very much to this interest. I will obviously convey this in my statement of purpose, but I also want to somehow reflect it on my CV. Is it common/appropriate to list an "in progress" master's thesis on a CV (obviously it would be finished/defended by the time I'd be entering a PhD program). If so, do I just list it under the "research experience" heading in my CV?

I guess my main concern is wanting to reflect that while most of my past research experience is not related to my current interests, I didn't just pick this research area out of a hat! It's been an interest of mine for quite a while, there just aren't a lot of people around me researching it. I spent all last spring and this summer conducting an intensive lit review for my thesis though, and my current advisor helps me the best he can (despite it being an area he's not too familiar with).

 

[cara susanna]

I'd list your thesis no matter what. As for your experience not coinciding with your interests, that's really for your SoP to explain.

 

[Sisyphus09]

I'm at a similar point to you -- About to finish a master's program and my thesis will not be finished for a while. I would definitely include my thesis on my CV, and state that it is in progress. It will be important, as you've said, for prospective professors to see what you are currently working on to get a full picture of your interests.

 

[CheetahGirl]

I would definitely search past SDN threads about CVs and what title-headings to list. You certainly could have a subsection titled "Research Interests" and just add your thesis title there: (for example)

Research Interests: African Maiden Swallows, migration. Master's thesis title: "African Maiden Swallows and their migration pattern in the winter." Research Advisor: Arthur, King of the Britains, PhD.

(further example):

Presentations:
Your Last Name, First Initial. (2013). "African Maiden Swallows migration patterns during the last century." Paper presented at the 10th Annual Conference of Bird Watchers. Nova Scotia, Canada.

Publications:
Your Last Name, First Initial (2013). "African Maiden Swallows migration patterns during the winter season." (Manuscript In Progress).

I would not add a separate section stating your thesis is 'in progress' b/c that is usually reserved for serious publications in progress....not master's theses. And if you list it on your CV as in progress, you should be prepared to discuss which journal you plan to submit to (I'd know that journal's guidelines too) and where exactly you are in the process.

 

[cara susanna]

I'd put it under education, with your in-progress Master's.

Like:
MS, Experimental Psychology
Master's thesis: "Title" (in progress)
Projected graduation: Date