Preparing your CV, Cover Letter, and Personal Statement for Research or Scholarly Activity Opportunities
Your CV, cover letter, and personal statement are often very important components of your application to research programs and in your conversations with prospective mentors. This page will provide to you some helpful information and tips on how to prepare these documents. Please reach out to traineeresearch@ohio.edu with any questions.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Your CV replaces the resume in a medical student鈥檚 career, suitable for academic or medical fields. It elaborates on education and includes a comprehensive listing of professional history. Include information no older than your graduate/undergraduate education. As you progress, update it to include only medical school and beyond.
Cover Letters
When applying to research programs, follow provided guidelines. If none are given, include:
- Polite greeting
- Self-introduction
- Credentials
- How you learned of the opportunity/why you are applying
- Purpose (audience, interview, award, grant, presentation, etc.)
- What you can bring to the organization
Personal Statement
Purpose:
Share your interests, demonstrate what you can contribute, and state your professional goals.
Tips for Writing Your Personal Statement:
- Read the question carefully.
- Start early and get feedback.
- Include research interests related to the position.
- Mention any special connections to the project or program.
- State what motivates you and what you hope to gain.
- Proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.