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How to Design a Winning Poster Presentation: Quick Guide with Examples & Templates

How are research posters like High School science fair projects? Quite similar, in fact.

Both are visual representations of a research project shared with peers, colleagues and academic faculty. But there’s a big difference: it’s all in professionalism and attention to detail. You can be sure that the students that thrived in science fairs are now creating fantastic research posters, but what is that extra element most people miss when designing a poster presentation?

This guide will teach tips and tricks for creating poster presentations for conferences, symposia, and more. Learn in-depth poster structure and design techniques to help create academic posters that have a lasting impact.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

• What is a Research Poster?

Why are Poster Presentations important?

Overall dimensions and orientation, separation into columns and sections, scientific, academic, or something else, a handout with supplemental and contact information, cohesiveness, design and readability, storytelling.

• Font Characteristics
• Color Pairing
• Data Visualization Dimensions
• Alignment, Margins, and White Space

Scientific/Academic Conference Poster Presentation

Digital research poster presentations, slidemodel poster presentation templates, how to make a research poster presentation step-by-step, considerations for printing poster presentations, how to present a research poster presentation, final words, what is a research poster .

Research posters are visual overviews of the most relevant information extracted from a research paper or analysis.   They are essential communication formats for sharing findings with peers and interested people in the field. Research posters can also effectively present material for other areas besides the sciences and STEM—for example, business and law.

You’ll be creating research posters regularly as an academic researcher, scientist, or grad student. You’ll have to present them at numerous functions and events. For example:

• Conference presentations
• Informational events
• Community centers

The research poster presentation is a comprehensive way to share data, information, and research results. Before the pandemic, the majority of research events were in person. During lockdown and beyond, virtual conferences and summits became the norm. Many researchers now create poster presentations that work in printed and digital formats.

Let’s look at why it’s crucial to spend time creating poster presentations for your research projects, research, analysis, and study papers.

Research posters represent you and your sponsor’s research 

Research papers and accompanying poster presentations are potent tools for representation and communication in your field of study. Well-performing poster presentations help scientists, researchers, and analysts grow their careers through grants and sponsorships.

When presenting a poster presentation for a sponsored research project, you’re representing the company that sponsored you. Your professionalism, demeanor, and capacity for creating impactful poster presentations call attention to other interested sponsors, spreading your impact in the field.

Research posters demonstrate expertise and growth

Presenting research posters at conferences, summits, and graduate grading events shows your expertise and knowledge in your field of study. The way your poster presentation looks and delivers, plus your performance while presenting the work, is judged by your viewers regardless of whether it’s an officially judged panel.

Recurring visitors to research conferences and symposia will see you and your poster presentations evolve. Improve your impact by creating a great poster presentation every time by paying attention to detail in the poster design and in your oral presentation. Practice your public speaking skills alongside the design techniques for even more impact.

Poster presentations create and maintain collaborations

Every time you participate in a research poster conference, you create meaningful connections with people in your field, industry or community. Not only do research posters showcase information about current data in different areas, but they also bring people together with similar interests. Countless collaboration projects between different research teams started after discussing poster details during coffee breaks.

An effective research poster template deepens your peer’s understanding of a topic by highlighting research, data, and conclusions. This information can help other researchers and analysts with their work. As a research poster presenter, you’re given the opportunity for both teaching and learning while sharing ideas with peers and colleagues.

Anatomy of a Winning Poster Presentation

Do you want your research poster to perform well?  Following the standard layout and adding a few personal touches will help attendees know how to read your poster and get the most out of your information. 

The overall size of your research poster ultimately depends on the dimensions of the provided space at the conference or research poster gallery. The poster orientation can be horizontal or vertical, with horizontal being the most common.  In general, research posters measure 48 x 36 inches or are an A0 paper size.

A virtual poster can be the same proportions as the printed research poster, but you have more leeway regarding the dimensions. Virtual research posters should fit on a screen with no need to scroll, with 1080p resolution as a standard these days. A horizontal presentation size is ideal for that.

A research poster presentation has a standard layout of 2–5 columns with 2–3 sections each. Typical structures say to separate the content into four sections; 1. A horizontal header 2. Introduction column, 3. Research/Work/Data column, and 4. Conclusion column. Each unit includes topics that relate to your poster’s objective.  Here’s a generalized outline for a poster presentation:

• Condensed Abstract 
• Objectives/Purpose
• Methodology
• Recommendations
• Implications
• Acknowledgments
• Contact Information 

The overview content you include in the units depends on your poster presentations’ theme, topic, industry, or field of research. A scientific or academic poster will include sections like hypothesis, methodology, and materials. A marketing analysis poster will include performance metrics and competitor analysis results.

There’s no way a poster can hold all the information included in your research paper or analysis report. The poster is an overview that invites the audience to want to find out more. That’s where supplement material comes in. Create a printed PDF handout or card with a QR code (created using a QR code generator ). Send the audience to the best online location for reading or downloading the complete paper.

What Makes a Poster Presentation Good and Effective? 

For your poster presentation to be effective and well-received, it needs to cover all the bases and be inviting to find out more. Stick to the standard layout suggestions and give it a unique look and feel. We’ve put together some of the most critical research poster-creation tips in the list below. Your poster presentation will perform as long as you check all the boxes.

The information you choose to include in the sections of your poster presentation needs to be cohesive. Train your editing eye and do a few revisions before presenting. The best way to look at it is to think of The Big Picture. Don’t get stuck on the details; your attendees won’t always know the background behind your research topic or why it’s important.

Be cohesive in how you word the titles, the length of the sections, the highlighting of the most important data, and how your oral presentation complements the printed—or virtual—poster.

The most important characteristic of your poster presentation is its readability and clarity. You need a poster presentation with a balanced design that’s easy to read at a distance of 1.5 meters or 4 feet. The font size and spacing must be clear and neat. All the content must suggest a visual flow for the viewer to follow.

That said, you don’t need to be a designer to add something special to your poster presentation. Once you have the standard—and recognized—columns and sections, add your special touch. These can be anything from colorful boxes for the section titles to an interesting but subtle background, images that catch the eye, and charts that inspire a more extended look. 

Storytelling is a presenting technique involving writing techniques to make information flow. Firstly, storytelling helps give your poster presentation a great introduction and an impactful conclusion. 

Think of storytelling as the invitation to listen or read more, as the glue that connects sections, making them flow from one to another. Storytelling is using stories in the oral presentation, for example, what your lab partner said when you discovered something interesting. If it makes your audience smile and nod, you’ve hit the mark. Storytelling is like giving a research presentation a dose of your personality, and it can help turning your data into opening stories .

Design Tips For Creating an Effective Research Poster Presentation

The section above briefly mentioned how important design is to your poster presentation’s effectiveness. We’ll look deeper into what you need to know when designing a poster presentation.

1. Font Characteristics

The typeface and size you choose are of great importance. Not only does the text need to be readable from two meters away, but it also needs to look and sit well on the poster. Stay away from calligraphic script typefaces, novelty typefaces, or typefaces with uniquely shaped letters.

Stick to the classics like a sans serif Helvetica, Lato, Open Sans, or Verdana. Avoid serif typefaces as they can be difficult to read from far away. Here are some standard text sizes to have on hand.

• Title: 85 pt
• Authors: 65 pt
• Headings: 36 pt
• Body Text: 24 pt
• Captions: 18 pt

If you feel too prone to use serif typefaces, work with a font pairing tool that helps you find a suitable solution – and intend those serif fonts for heading sections only. As a rule, never use more than 3 different typefaces in your design. To make it more dynamic, you can work with the same font using light, bold, and italic weights to put emphasis on the required areas.

2. Color Pairing

Using colors in your poster presentation design is a great way to grab the viewer’s attention. A color’s purpose is to help the viewer follow the data flow in your presentation, not distract. Don’t let the color take more importance than the information on your poster.

Choose one main color for the title and headlines and a similar color for the data visualizations. If you want to use more than one color, don’t create too much contrast between them. Try different tonalities of the same color and keep things balanced visually. Your color palette should have at most one main color and two accent colors.

Black text over a white background is standard practice for printed poster presentations, but for virtual presentations, try a very light gray instead of white and a very dark gray instead of black. Additionally, use variations of light color backgrounds and dark color text. Make sure it’s easy to read from two meters away or on a screen, depending on the context. We recommend ditching full white or full black tone usage as it hurts eyesight in the long term due to its intense contrast difference with the light ambiance.

3. Data Visualization Dimensions

Just like the text, your charts, graphs, and data visualizations must be easy to read and understand. Generally, if a person is interested in your research and has already read some of the text from two meters away, they’ll come closer to look at the charts and graphs. 

Fit data visualizations inside columns or let them span over two columns. Remove any unnecessary borders, lines, or labels to make them easier to read at a glance. Use a flat design without shadows or 3D characteristics. The text in legends and captions should stay within the chart size and not overflow into the margins. Use a unified text size of 18px for all your data visualizations.

4. Alignment, Margins, and White Space

Finally, the last design tip for creating an impressive and memorable poster presentation is to be mindful of the layout’s alignment, margins, and white space. Create text boxes to help keep everything aligned. They allow you to resize, adapt, and align the content along a margin or grid.

Take advantage of the white space created by borders and margins between sections. Don’t crowd them with a busy background or unattractive color.

Calculate margins considering a print format. It is a good practice in case the poster presentation ends up becoming in physical format, as you won’t need to downscale your entire design (affecting text readability in the process) to preserve information.

There are different tools that you can use to make a poster presentation. Presenters who are familiar with Microsoft Office prefer to use PowerPoint. You can learn how to make a poster in PowerPoint here.

Poster Presentation Examples

Before you start creating a poster presentation, look at some examples of real research posters. Get inspired and get creative.

Research poster presentations printed and mounted on a board look like the one in the image below. The presenter stands to the side, ready to share the information with visitors as they walk up to the panels.

With more and more conferences staying virtual or hybrid, the digital poster presentation is here to stay. Take a look at examples from a poster session at the OHSU School of Medicine .

Use SlideModel templates to help you create a winning poster presentation with PowerPoint and Google Slides. These poster PPT templates will get you off on the right foot. Mix and match tables and data visualizations from other poster slide templates to create your ideal layout according to the standard guidelines.

If you need a quick method to create a presentation deck to talk about your research poster at conferences, check out our Slides AI presentation maker. A tool in which you add the topic, curate the outline, select a design, and let AI do the work for you.

1. One-pager Scientific Poster Template for PowerPoint

A PowerPoint template tailored to make your poster presentations an easy-to-craft process. Meet our One-Pager Scientific Poster Slide Template, entirely editable to your preferences and with ample room to accommodate graphs, data charts, and much more.

Use This Template

2. Eisenhower Matrix Slides Template for PowerPoint

An Eisenhower Matrix is a powerful tool to represent priorities, classifying work according to urgency and importance. Presenters can use this 2×2 matrix in poster presentations to expose the effort required for the research process, as it also helps to communicate strategy planning.

3. OSMG Framework PowerPoint Template

Finally, we recommend presenters check our OSMG Framework PowerPoint template, as it is an ideal tool for representing a business plan: its goals, strategies, and measures for success. Expose complex processes in a simplified manner by adding this template to your poster presentation.

Remember these three words when making your research poster presentation: develop, design, and present. These are the three main actions toward a successful poster presentation. 

The section below will take you on a step-by-step journey to create your next poster presentation.

Step 1: Define the purpose and audience of your poster presentation

Before making a poster presentation design, you’ll need to plan first. Here are some questions to answer at this point:

• Are they in your field? 
• Do they know about your research topic? 
• What can they get from your research?
• Will you print it?
• Is it for a virtual conference?

Step 2: Make an outline

With a clear purpose and strategy, it’s time to collect the most important information from your research paper, analysis, or documentation. Make a content dump and then select the most interesting information. Use the content to draft an outline.

Outlines help formulate the overall structure better than going straight into designing the poster. Mimic the standard poster structure in your outline using section headlines as separators. Go further and separate the content into the columns they’ll be placed in.

Step 3: Write the content

Write or rewrite the content for the sections in your poster presentation. Use the text in your research paper as a base, but summarize it to be more succinct in what you share. 

Don’t forget to write a catchy title that presents the problem and your findings in a clear way. Likewise, craft the headlines for the sections in a similar tone as the title, creating consistency in the message. Include subtle transitions between sections to help follow the flow of information in order.

Avoid copying/pasting entire sections of the research paper on which the poster is based. Opt for the storytelling approach, so the delivered message results are interesting for your audience. 

Step 4: Put it all together visually

This entire guide on how to design a research poster presentation is the perfect resource to help you with this step. Follow all the tips and guidelines and have an unforgettable poster presentation.

Moving on, here’s how to design a research poster presentation with PowerPoint Templates . Open a new project and size it to the standard 48 x 36 inches. Using the outline, map out the sections on the empty canvas. Add a text box for each title, headline, and body text. Piece by piece, add the content into their corresponding text box.

Transform the text information visually, make bullet points, and place the content in tables and timelines. Make your text visual to avoid chunky text blocks that no one will have time to read. Make sure all text sizes are coherent for all headings, body texts, image captions, etc. Double-check for spacing and text box formatting.

Next, add or create data visualizations, images, or diagrams. Align everything into columns and sections, making sure there’s no overflow. Add captions and legends to the visualizations, and check the color contrast with colleagues and friends. Ask for feedback and progress to the last step.

Step 5: Last touches

Time to check the final touches on your poster presentation design. Here’s a checklist to help finalize your research poster before sending it to printers or the virtual summit rep.

• Check the resolution of all visual elements in your poster design. Zoom to 100 or 200% to see if the images pixelate. Avoid this problem by using vector design elements and high-resolution images.
• Ensure that charts and graphs are easy to read and don’t look crowded.
• Analyze the visual hierarchy. Is there a visual flow through the title, introduction, data, and conclusion?
• Take a step back and check if it’s legible from a distance. Is there enough white space for the content to breathe?
• Does the design look inviting and interesting?

An often neglected topic arises when we need to print our designs for any exhibition purpose. Since A0 is a hard-to-manage format for most printers, these poster presentations result in heftier charges for the user. Instead, you can opt to work your design in two A1 sheets, which also becomes more manageable for transportation. Create seamless borders for the section on which the poster sheets should meet, or work with a white background.

Paper weight options should be over 200 gsm to avoid unwanted damage during the printing process due to heavy ink usage. If possible, laminate your print or stick it to photographic paper – this shall protect your work from spills.

Finally, always run a test print. Gray tints may not be printed as clearly as you see them on screen (this is due to the RGB to CMYK conversion process). Other differences can be appreciated when working with ink jet plotters vs. laser printers. Give yourself enough room to maneuver last-minute design changes.

Presenting a research poster is a big step in the poster presentation cycle. Your poster presentation might or might not be judged by faculty or peers. But knowing what judges look for will help you prepare for the design and oral presentation, regardless of whether you receive a grade for your work or if it’s business related. Likewise, the same principles apply when presenting at an in-person or virtual summit.

The opening statement

Part of presenting a research poster is welcoming the viewer to your small personal area in the sea of poster presentations. You’ll need an opening statement to pitch your research poster and get the viewers’ attention.

Draft a 2 to 3-sentence pitch that covers the most important points:

• What the research is
• Why was it conducted
• What the results say

From that opening statement, you’re ready to continue with the oral presentation for the benefit of your attendees.

The oral presentation

During the oral presentation, share the information on the poster while conversing with the interested public. Practice many times before the event. Structure the oral presentation as conversation points, and use the poster’s visual flow as support. Make eye contact with your audience as you speak, but don’t make them uncomfortable.

Pro Tip: In a conference or summit, if people show up to your poster area after you’ve started presenting it to another group, finish and then address the new visitors.

QA Sessions 

When you’ve finished the oral presentation, offer the audience a chance to ask questions. You can tell them before starting the presentation that you’ll be holding a QA session at the end. Doing so will prevent interruptions as you’re speaking.

If presenting to one or two people, be flexible and answer questions as you review all the sections on your poster.

Supplemental Material

If your audience is interested in learning more, you can offer another content type, further imprinting the information in their minds. Some ideas include; printed copies of your research paper, links to a website, a digital experience of your poster, a thesis PDF, or data spreadsheets.

Your audience will want to contact you for further conversations; include contact details in your supplemental material. If you don’t offer anything else, at least have business cards.

Even though conferences have changed, the research poster’s importance hasn’t diminished. Now, instead of simply creating a printed poster presentation, you can also make it for digital platforms. The final output will depend on the conference and its requirements.

This guide covered all the essential information you need to know for creating impactful poster presentations, from design, structure and layout tips to oral presentation techniques to engage your audience better . 

Before your next poster session, bookmark and review this guide to help you design a winning poster presentation every time. 

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How To Put Poster Presentation On A Resume?

A poster presentation is a big poster that shows information about a topic. People use it to explain things like research or projects. The poster has pictures, words, and charts to make it easy to understand. People usually use poster presentations at conferences or events to share their work with others.

Elevating your resume with poster presentation finesse is easier than you think. How to put poster presentations on a resume depends on your ability to seamlessly integrate visual storytelling into your professional narrative. Let’s explore the art of merging conference experiences with career highlights, making your resume a captivating journey for potential employers.

To add a poster presentation to your resume, make a new section like “Skills” or “Experience.” Write down the event name, date, and title of your presentation. Use bullet points to show important details and talk about the skills you gained, like making visuals and talking in public. This makes your resume special and shows you can explain things in an interesting way.

Table of Contents

Should I include my poster presentation on my resume?

Deciding if you should put a poster presentation on your resume is a common question. To make the right choice, think about whether the presentation connects with the job you want. If it shows skills or achievements that the employer is looking for, it’s a good idea to include it.

But don’t add every presentation you’ve done. Pick the ones that match the job you’re applying for. Right align dates for a polished look. Your resume should be a quick look at your career, so choose the presentations that best show your skills and accomplishments. Keep it clear and concise – that way, your resume will catch the eye of employers.

When to include a poster presentation in a CV

How to include a poster presentation in a Resume?

Enhance your CV by strategically incorporating these academic achievements. Start with a dedicated section, including your name, a compelling title, and key details like presentation date and location. This structured approach effectively highlights your research and communication skills for prospective employers.

Poster Presentation Section on the Resume

Craft a dedicated section to highlight your poster presentations, creating a distinct space for this academic achievement.

The Author’s Name

Clearly state your name, ensuring proper attribution for the presented work.

Add a Title to the Poster Presentation

Capture the essence of your research with a succinct and compelling title, drawing attention to the core theme.

Date of Presentation

Specify the date of your presentation, providing a chronological reference for your academic achievements.

Location of Presentation

Include the location of the presentation, adding geographical context to your academic contributions.

Brief Overview and Explanation of the Presentation

Offer a concise yet informative summary of your poster presentation, allowing readers to grasp the significance of your research.

Skills and Experience Gained from Giving a Presentation

Highlight the skills and experiences acquired through the process, demonstrating your ability to effectively communicate complex ideas.

Why put a poster presentation in your resume?

Incorporating poster presentations into your resume is important for several reasons. Wondering how to put poster presentations on a resume? Firstly, it demonstrates your ability to visually convey complex information, a valuable skill in many professional settings. It also signifies active engagement in academic or industry events, showcasing your commitment to staying informed in your field.

Moreover, including poster presentations provides tangible evidence of your research and analytical abilities, offering employers a practical glimpse into your expertise. Overall, it adds a dynamic aspect to your resume, positioning you as a candidate with strong research capabilities and effective communication skills.

Should you include all poster presentations?

Including all poster presentations on your resume may not be necessary or practical. Instead, focus on selecting the most relevant and impactful presentations that align with the job you’re applying for. Consider the following criteria when deciding which poster presentations to include:

• Relevance: Choose presentations that are directly related to the job or industry you’re targeting. Highlight those that showcase skills or knowledge relevant to the position.
• Significance: Prioritize presentations that had a notable impact, such as winning awards, contributing to key research, or presenting to influential audiences.
• Recency: If you have a substantial number of presentations, prioritize recent ones to demonstrate your up-to-date expertise.
• Space Constraints: Be mindful of the space on your resume. Including too many details can make it cluttered. Aim for a balance between showcasing your achievements and maintaining readability.

Tips for a better presentation

Creating a captivating presentation requires a combination of effective content and engaging delivery. Here are some tips to enhance your presentation:

• Know Your Audience: Tailor your content to match the interests and knowledge level of your audience.
• Engaging Opening: Capture attention with a compelling introduction, using a question, anecdote, or surprising fact.
• Clear Structure: Organize your presentation with a clear beginning, main points, and conclusion for easy follow-through.
• Visuals and Multimedia : Use visuals, such as slides, graphs, or videos, to complement your verbal communication and enhance understanding.
• Practice, Don’t Memorize: Familiarize yourself with the content but avoid memorization for a natural and dynamic delivery.
• Speak Clearly and Slowly: Enunciate words and maintain a moderate pace to ensure audience understanding.
• Concise Closing: Summarize key points, end with a clear conclusion, and leave the audience with a memorable takeaway or call-to-action.

Templates for listing a poster presentation in a Resume

Template 1:.

Poster Presentations:

Title of Poster: [Your Poster Title]

• Conference/Event: [Name of Conference/Event]
• Date: [Month, Year]
• Location: [City, Country]

Template 2:

Conference Posters:

Poster Title: [Your Poster Title]

• Conference: [Name of Conference]

Template 3:

Poster Sessions:

• Event/Conference: [Name of Conference/Event]

Examples for listing a poster presentation on a Resume

Research Experience:

Title: “Advancements in Sustainable Agriculture Practices”

• Conference/Event: International Conference on Agricultural Sciences
• Date: July 2023
• Location: Berlin, Germany

Title: “Exploring Innovative Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation”

• Conference/Event: Climate Action Symposium
• Date: November 2022
• Location: San Francisco, USA

Professional Development:

Title: “Revolutionizing Renewable Energy Technologies”

• Conference: Clean Energy Summit
• Date: September 2023
• Location: Tokyo, Japan

Title: “Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare”

• Conference: Healthcare Innovation Expo
• Date: March 2022
• Location: London, UK

Academic Achievements:

Title: “Unraveling the Mysteries of Dark Matter”

• Conference/Event: Physics Symposium
• Date: May 2023
• Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Title: “Innovations in Biomedical Engineering”

• Conference/Event: Biomedical Engineering Conference
• Date: October 2022
• Location: Sydney, Australia

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you put a poster on your resume.

Include a “Poster Presentations” section, listing titles, conference names, dates, and locations.

How do you report a poster presentation on a CV?

Add a “Poster Presentations” category, noting poster titles, conference details, and event dates.

How do you put a presentation on a CV?

Create a “Presentations” section, outlining titles, venues, dates, and contexts.

How do you reference a poster presentation?

In your CV, cite poster presentations by providing titles, conference names, dates, and locations.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, integrating a poster presentation into your resume is a nuanced art that can significantly elevate your professional profile. Wondering how to put a poster presentation on a resume? It’s simpler than you might think. Keep it clear and concise. Craft a dedicated section where you succinctly outline the key details title, date, and the event or conference where you presented.

Consider your resume as a visual narrative. Strategically placing your poster presentation in the document not only showcases your ability to communicate complex ideas visually but also intrigues the reader. Simple language and a clean layout are crucial remember, you want anyone glancing at your resume to effortlessly comprehend the unique value you bring.

As you navigate this process, ponder the impact of a well-designed resume . It is not just a list of qualifications. It is a story waiting to be discovered. So, take a moment to strategically position your poster presentation a subtle yet powerful touch that piques curiosity. Your resume becomes a conversation starter, subtly prompting the reader to wonder about the stories behind the visuals. How to put a poster presentation on a resume? It’s not just a technicality; it’s an art that leaves employers eager to learn more.

Author Marcus Wilde, with 8 years’ experience, shapes resumeglasses.com with literary prowess, offering impactful content for enhanced resumes and career growth.

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How to Put Poster Presentation on Resume - Step by Step

How do you add poster presentations to your resume/CV?

And how do you format it? Do you include all presentations? What if you were not the presenter?

Here's how to do it:

How to put poster presentation on resume

• List the most relevant poster presentations chronologically

Example template:

[Presentations header] [Your LastName FN], [more authors' names]. [Poster title]. Poster presented at: [Conference name]; [Event Date]; [Event Location]

Practical example:

Presentations:

Johnson A.T. , Brown M.P. The effect of unemployment policies on the unemployment rate and willingness to find a job. Poster presented at: 2019 Labor Economics Conference; October 2019; New York City, NY.

Stevens K., Johnson A.T . Employment incentives impact on labor force participation. Poster presented at: Nacional Economics Conference; February 2019; Los Angeles, CA.

1 - Create a presentations section

If you don't have one already, create a presentations section on your resume .

If you have a long list of publications, then presentations should be a subsection of the publications section.

The presentations and/or publications section should come after your Education history, job history, and research experience.

2 - Include the authors' names

List the authors' names in the same order they appear on the poster . The last name should come first, while the first and middle names should be abbreviated.

You should bold your own name and separate names by commas. Underline the presenter if it's not you. Finish with a period.

3 - Add poster title

Add the poster title exactly as it shows in the poster. End that section with a period.

4 - Write down conference/event name

Write "Poster presented at:" followed by conference name and finish with a semicolon. If the conference has a date in its name, ‌include it too.

5 - Add conference dates

Include the month and year of the conference finishing with a semicolon.

6 - Include the location where the conference was held

Finally, the last element should be the location of the conference.

If your conference happened in the United States, add the city and the abbreviated state name. If it was an international conference, add the country name.

7 - List the most relevant poster presentations chronologically

Do you want to create a resume or a CV? In some countries, the terms resume and CV are used interchangeably.

In the United States, resumes are summaries of your career, while CVs are academic biographies that include all your experiences and publications.

If you want to create an American style resume, ‌pick only the most relevant presentations . Otherwise, list all your poster presentations.

Also, list your presentations chronologically and don't list the same presentation more than once.

Should you include all poster presentations?

If you have a long career, you don't have to include all your presentations. Especially presentations at minor events such as department conferences.

However, if you're just getting started with your career, include as many presentations as possible.

What about oral presentations?

Separate oral presentations from your poster presentations. Have two subsections on your resume/CV: one for poster presentations and another one for oral presentations.

Format oral presentations the same way as your poster presentations.

Tips for a better presentation

Mcdonald's interview questions and answers for 2024, 25 coach interview questions and answers.

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• A Complete Guide on Mastering Poster Presentations

Introduction to Poster Presentations

Understanding Poster Presentation Essentials

Aayush Jain

The history and evolution of poster presentations.

Poster presentations have become a cornerstone in academic, scientific, and professional communities, offering a unique platform for the succinct and visual dissemination of research, ideas, and projects. Originating from the need to share scholarly work in an accessible and engaging format, the evolution of the art of poster presentations reflects broader changes in communication, technology, and educational practices. By blending textual information with visual aids, posters serve not only as a method of presenting complex ideas but also as an art form in itself, balancing aesthetic appeal with informational clarity.

Tracing the Origins

The history of poster presentations can be traced back to the 19th century, when the advent of mass printing technologies made it possible to produce posters in large quantities. Initially used for advertising and public announcements, the potential of posters to attract attention and convey messages quickly became apparent. The academic adoption of posters for presentations began in earnest in the mid-20th century, as conferences and symposiums sought more interactive and dynamic formats for sharing research findings. This period marked a significant shift from traditional oral presentations to a more inclusive and visually engaging method of scholarly communication.

Real-world Evolution and Impact

Throughout the decades, poster presentations have undergone significant transformations, influenced by advances in digital technology and changing academic landscapes. The introduction of digital design tools and software has expanded the possibilities for creativity and precision in poster design, allowing researchers to incorporate multimedia elements and interactive content. Moreover, the global push towards interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement has elevated the role of poster presentations in facilitating conversations across diverse fields and audiences. Notable examples include the use of poster sessions at international conferences to foster global dialogue on pressing issues such as climate change, public health, and technological innovation.

Supporting Evidence

The significance and evolution of poster presentations are well-documented in academic literature and historical analyses. For instance, studies published in Educational Researcher highlight the increasing adoption of poster sessions in academic conferences as a means to enhance participant engagement and knowledge exchange. Similarly, a review in The Journal of Visual Communication in Medicine emphasizes the role of visual aesthetics and advertising in improving the effectiveness of scientific posters. These sources underscore the dual function of posters as both educational tools and objects of visual interest, validating their continued relevance in the academic, classroom, and professional discourse.

Defining the Purpose of Poster Presentations

Exploring the Core Objectives

At its heart, the purpose of a poster presentation extends beyond merely displaying information on a large sheet. It is a strategic communication tool designed to capture the essence of research or a project in a manner that is both accessible and engaging to a diverse audience. Poster presentations serve a multifaceted role: they facilitate the concise summary of complex ideas, foster interactive dialogue between the presenter and the audience, and promote networking opportunities within the academic and professional communities. This unique format allows for the visual representation of data, theories, and conclusions, making abstract concepts more tangible and understandable.

Historical and Educational Context

The educational foundation of poster presentations is deeply rooted in the principles of active learning and visual literacy. By compelling presenters to distill their work into the most essential elements, poster presentations encourage clarity of thought and the ability to prioritize information effectively. Historically, this format has enabled a more democratized form of knowledge sharing, where students, researchers, and professionals, regardless of their stage in their career, can contribute their findings and insights to a wider discourse. The educational benefits of engaging with poster presentations are well-documented, highlighting improvements in critical thinking, design skills, and public speaking.

Real-world Applications and Benefits

In practice, poster presentations have proven invaluable across a multitude of disciplines—from science and engineering to humanities and arts. They offer a platform for early-career researchers to showcase their work, for interdisciplinary teams to present collaborative projects, and for seasoned academics to share their findings with peers and the public alike. Notable real-world applications include poster sessions at major international conferences, where cutting-edge research is introduced, sparking discussions that can lead to new collaborations, funding opportunities, and advancements in the field.

Academic and Professional Endorsements

The effectiveness and importance of poster presentations are reinforced by numerous studies and professional guidelines. For instance, The Chronicle of Higher Education emphasizes the role of poster presentations in enhancing scholarly communication and professional development. Additionally, guidelines published by leading academic institutions offer comprehensive advice on designing impactful posters, underscoring the importance of visual elements, concise content, and a clear message. These resources not only validate the significance of poster presentations within the academic community but also provide practical insights into maximizing their potential.

Different Formats and Styles of Poster Presentations

A Diverse Landscape of Presentation Formats

The realm of poster presentations is characterized by a rich diversity of formats and styles, each tailored to suit the specific needs of the subject matter and the audience . From traditional print posters to interactive digital displays, the evolution of technology and design principles has expanded the possibilities for presenting research and projects. This adaptability not only enhances the visual appeal of posters but also broadens their accessibility and potential for engagement. Understanding the variety of available formats is crucial for presenters aiming to convey their message effectively and captivate their audience.

Historical Evolution and Trends

Traditionally, university poster presentations were predominantly print-based, utilizing paper or fabric as the medium. These printed posters relied heavily on graphic design principles to organize text and images in a visually pleasing manner. However, the advent of digital technology has introduced new formats, such as electronic posters (e-posters) and interactive displays, which allow for dynamic content, including animations, video clips, and hyperlinks. This shift reflects broader trends in digital communication and multimedia, offering presenters innovative ways to illustrate their findings and engage with viewers.

Illustrating Through Examples

The impact of diverse formats and styles can be seen in various fields. For instance, in scientific conferences, e-posters have become increasingly popular, facilitating more in-depth discussions through embedded data visualizations and interactive elements. In the arts and humanities, posters often incorporate a blend of textual analysis and visual artistry, showcasing creative approaches to design and page layout. Examples of standout poster presentations can be found in academic journals and online platforms, where award-winning designs are shared as inspiration for future presenters.

Guidance from Experts

The choice of format and style should be guided by the content of the presentation and the context in which it will be displayed. Experts in visual communication and academic presentation, such as Edward Tufte and Nancy Duarte, offer valuable insights into effective design principles. Additionally, scholarly articles in journals like The Design Journal and websites dedicated to academic poster design provide practical advice, emphasizing the importance of clarity, coherence, and visual impact. These resources underscore the critical role of format and style in enhancing the effectiveness of poster presentations.

Essential Components of a Poster

Crafting a Compelling Visual Narrative

The effectiveness of a poster presentation hinges on its ability to communicate a complex narrative through a blend of visual and textual elements. Identifying and integrating the essential components of a poster are critical steps in crafting a presentation that not only captures attention but also conveys the intended message clearly and succinctly. These components typically include the title, abstract, introduction, methodology, results, conclusions, references, and acknowledgments. Each element plays a pivotal role in the poster's overall narrative, guiding the viewer through the research journey in a logical and engaging manner.

Building on a Solid Foundation

The foundation of a successful poster presentation lies in its structure and content organization. The title should be concise yet descriptive, offering a clear indication of the poster's focus. The abstract provides a brief overview of the study, inviting further exploration. Introduction sections set the stage, outlining the research question and its significance, while the methodology and results sections detail the research process and findings. Conclusions highlight the implications of the study, and the references and acknowledgments sections give credit to the sources and contributors. This structured approach ensures that viewers can easily navigate the poster and grasp the key takeaways.

Real-world Examples and Design Strategies

Examining real-world examples of effective poster presentations reveals common design strategies that enhance readability and viewer engagement. These strategies include the use of bullet points for concise information delivery, graphical abstracts to summarize findings visually, and the strategic placement of visuals to complement the text. For instance, a poster in the field of environmental science might use infographics to illustrate the impact of pollution on ecosystems, while a medical research poster might include charts and graphs to display clinical trial results.

Expert Insights and Resources

The importance of these essential components and design strategies is echoed in literature and resources aimed at guiding poster designers and creators. Edward Tufte's principles of information design emphasize the balance between visual and textual elements, advocating for clarity, precision, and efficiency. Similarly, resources like The Craft of Scientific Posters provide practical advice on selecting and organizing poster components to maximize impact. Peer-reviewed articles in academic journals also offer case studies and analyses of successful posters, serving as valuable references for those looking to create their own.

The Lifecycle of a Poster Presentation

From Concept to Display: Navigating the Journey

The lifecycle of a poster presentation encompasses a series of stages, from the initial concept to the final display and beyond. This journey begins with the identification of a research question or project theme, followed by the meticulous planning and design of the poster. Key milestones include the development of the poster's layout, the selection of visual elements, and the refinement of textual content. The culmination of this process is the presentation itself, where the poster is displayed to an audience, serving as a visual anchor for discussion and engagement. Understanding each phase of this lifecycle is crucial for presenters aiming to maximize the impact of their work.

Foundational Steps and Planning

The early stages of a poster's lifecycle are marked by brainstorming sessions, where ideas are generated and objectives are set. This phase involves extensive research and gathering of information, laying the groundwork for the poster's content. Decisions regarding the poster's format, style, and essential components are made, informed by the presenter's goals and the expectations of the target audience. Effective planning at this stage ensures a coherent structure and a focused message, setting the stage for a successful presentation .

Design, Development, and Delivery

The design and development phase is where the poster takes shape. Presenters employ various software and tools to create visual representations of their data and ideas, paying close attention to layout, typography, and color schemes. This phase is iterative, often involving multiple revisions to fine-tune the poster's aesthetic and informational elements. Once the design is finalized, the poster is produced—either printed or prepared as a digital display—and readied for presentation. The delivery stage is a critical opportunity for presenters to engage with their audience, field questions, and gain feedback, adding a dynamic dimension to the poster's lifecycle.

Post-Presentation Impact and Archival

After the presentation, the poster's lifecycle continues through the dissemination of its content in digital repositories, academic websites, or social media platforms, reaching a wider audience and extending its life beyond the initial event. This phase may also involve reflecting on feedback, making adjustments, and repurposing the content for future presentations or publications. Proper archival and sharing practices ensure that the knowledge and insights conveyed through the poster remain accessible and continue to contribute to scholarly dialogue and public discourse.

Incorporating Expert Guidance and Best Practices

Throughout the lifecycle of a poster presentation, adherence to best practices and expert guidance is paramount. Resources such as The Effective Scientist's Guide to Poster Design and academic blogs on presentation skills offer a wealth of tips and strategies for each stage of the process. These resources stress the importance of clarity, engagement, and adaptability, advising presenters to anticipate audience questions and be prepared to discuss their work in-depth. By navigating the lifecycle with intention and expertise, presenters can significantly enhance the visibility and impact of their research.

Selecting the Right Software and Tools

Charting the Digital Landscape for Poster Creation

In the era of digital communication, selecting the right software and tools is a pivotal decision in the lifecycle of a poster presentation. This choice can significantly influence the design process , the effectiveness of the final product, and the ease with which information is conveyed. From graphic design software to specialized scientific visualization tools, the range of available options caters to the diverse needs and skill levels of presenters. Navigating this digital landscape requires an understanding of the functionalities and features that best complement the objectives of the poster, ensuring that the chosen tools enhance rather than hinder the creative process.

The Foundation of Effective Design

The foundation of an effective poster design lies in the seamless integration of text, images, and data visualizations. Software such as Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, and Canva offers a spectrum of design capabilities, from basic layout and typography to advanced graphic elements and illustrations. For presenters focused on data-rich subjects, tools like Tableau or R with ggplot2 provide sophisticated options for creating compelling data visualizations. The selection process should consider factors such as user-friendliness, compatibility with other platforms, and the specific requirements of the presentation format, whether it be print or digital.

Real-World Applications and Choices

In real-world scenarios, the choice of software often reflects the discipline and objectives of the poster presentation. For instance, researchers in the sciences may gravitate towards tools that offer precision in data representation, such as MATLAB or Python for generating plots. In contrast, professionals in the arts and humanities might prioritize software with strong typographic and layout capabilities, such as Adobe InDesign. Notable examples of well-designed posters, often shared in online forums and design communities, illustrate the impact of software choice on the effectiveness of visual communication.

Guidance from Experts and the Community

For those navigating the selection of software and tools, guidance from experienced designers and presenters can be invaluable. Online tutorials, user forums, and academic workshops provide platforms for sharing insights and tips on maximizing the potential of different software. Additionally, reviews and comparisons in design publications and blogs offer an overview of the latest features and capabilities, helping presenters make informed decisions. Leveraging these resources can demystify the digital tools landscape, empowering creators to produce posters that are not only visually appealing but also rich in content and easy to understand.

Timeline Planning for Your Presentation

Setting the Stage for Success

Effective timeline planning is essential for ensuring the success of a poster presentation. This process involves allocating sufficient time for each phase of the poster's lifecycle, from initial research and design to printing and practice for the presentation itself. Establishing a detailed timeline helps in managing tasks efficiently, avoiding last-minute rushes, and ensuring a polished final product. By breaking down the project into manageable milestones, presenters can maintain a steady pace of progress, allowing for creativity to flourish within a structured framework.

Understanding the Key Milestones

The key milestones in the timeline of a poster presentation typically include the conceptualization of the idea, in-depth research, initial design drafts, feedback collection, final revisions, and printing or digital preparation. Additionally, presenters and event organizers should factor in time for rehearsing their explanation of the poster, as this verbal component is crucial for engaging with the audience during the presentation. Each of these stages requires careful consideration and allocation of time, taking into account the complexity of the topic, the availability of resources, and potential challenges that may arise.

Learning from Examples and Best Practices

Examining successful poster presentations provides valuable insights into effective timeline planning. For example, a presenter who begins the design process several weeks in advance can incorporate feedback from peers and mentors, ensuring a more refined and impactful poster. Academic journals and conference websites often feature timelines and planning guides, illustrating best practices for managing time efficiently. These resources highlight the importance of flexibility within the timeline, allowing for adjustments based on feedback and iterative improvements.

Expert Advice and Strategic Approaches

Experts in academic and professional presentation emphasize the importance of starting early and setting realistic deadlines. Resources like The Chronicle of Higher Education and Nature's guide to scientific posters recommend backward planning—starting from the presentation date and working backward to determine when each task should be completed. This approach ensures that all aspects of the poster, from content accuracy to design aesthetics, are given due attention. Additionally, leveraging project management tools and software can aid in tracking progress and maintaining focus on the ultimate goal: delivering a compelling and informative poster presentation.

Understanding Poster Size and Orientation

Navigating Dimensions and Design Impacts

The size and orientation of a poster presentation are critical factors that significantly influence its design, readability, and overall impact. Choosing the right dimensions requires a balance between the amount of information to be presented, the visual appeal of the poster, and the practical considerations of the venue where it will be displayed. Orientation—whether portrait or landscape—also plays a key role in how content is organized and perceived. Understanding these aspects is essential for creating a poster that effectively communicates the intended message while being visually engaging and easy to navigate.

Historical Context and Evolving Standards

Historically, the standard sizes for academic posters have evolved, influenced by printing capabilities, conference requirements, and disciplinary conventions. Common sizes range from A0 (33.1 x 46.8 inches) to A3 (11.7 x 16.5 inches), with variations based on specific event guidelines. The choice between portrait and landscape orientation has traditionally been guided by the nature of the content and the aesthetic preferences of the designer. As digital displays become more prevalent, new standards are emerging, accommodating a wider range of sizes and formats, and offering greater flexibility in poster design.

Real-World Considerations and Decisions

In practical terms, by contrast, the decision on poster size and orientation often depends on the venue's space constraints, the expected audience flow, and the method of presentation (e.g., hanging, digital screens, or stands). For instance, a larger poster in landscape orientation or standing might be more suitable for detailed data visualizations that require a wider format, while a portrait orientation could be preferred for posters that aim to communicate findings in a more linear, straightforward manner. Successful examples from various fields demonstrate how these decisions are integral to enhancing the poster's readability and audience engagement.

Expert Guidelines and Resources

Design experts and academic guidelines offer valuable advice on selecting the appropriate size and orientation for poster presentations. Recommendations typically emphasize the importance of clarity, audience engagement, and the effective use of space. Resources such as the American Psychological Association and The Royal Society of Chemistry provide specific guidelines on poster dimensions, aligning with the standard practices of academic conferences. Additionally, design software often includes templates and tools specifically tailored for poster creation, helping presenters visualize and plan their layouts in accordance with these dimensions.

Print vs. Digital Posters: A Comparative Analysis

Exploring the Mediums' Unique Advantages

The choice between print and digital posters presents a crucial decision for presenters, each medium offering distinct advantages and considerations. Print posters, traditional staples of academic conferences and public spaces, excel in delivering a tactile, permanent visual experience. Their physical presence allows for easy viewing in various settings, from gallery walks to outdoor displays. Digital posters, on the other hand, leverage technology to offer dynamic, interactive elements such as animations, videos, and hyperlinks, enhancing the engagement and accessibility of the content. This comparative analysis explores how both mediums cater to different presentation goals and audience expectations.

The Evolution of Poster Presentations

The evolution from print to digital posters mirrors broader technological advancements and shifts in communication preferences. Initially, the poster's role in disseminating information was predominantly served by print formats, favored for their simplicity and wide reach. However, the digital era introduced new possibilities for interaction and information sharing, challenging the traditional poster model. Today, digital posters can be easily updated, shared online, and integrated into virtual conferences, extending their reach beyond physical boundaries. This transition highlights the adaptability of poster presentations to changing technological and societal trends.

Practical Implications and Considerations

Choosing between print and digital formats involves practical implications regarding production, distribution, and presentation. Print posters require consideration of printing costs, materials, and logistics, particularly for large-scale or high-quality prints. Digital posters, while eliminating printing costs, may necessitate access to screens or devices for viewing and interactive features that require specific software or platforms. The decision often depends on the context of the presentation, the target audience, and the desired level of interaction and engagement. Real-world examples illustrate how presenters navigate these decisions, opting for the medium that best aligns with their objectives and the capabilities of their venue.

Expert Perspectives and Future Directions

Experts in visual communication and educational technology offer insights into the strengths and limitations of both print and digital posters. Studies and articles in academic journals, such as The Journal of Digital Learning, suggest that digital posters may enhance learning outcomes and audience engagement through interactive elements. Conversely, advocates for print posters highlight the value of a tangible, distraction-free medium that encourages in-depth, focused interaction. The future of poster presentations likely involves a hybrid approach, leveraging the advantages of both mediums to meet diverse needs and preferences.

Checklist for Poster Presentation Preparation

Crafting a Comprehensive Preparation Strategy

A well-organized checklist is indispensable for preparing an effective poster presentation , serving as a roadmap that guides presenters through each critical step of the process. From initial research and design to the final touches before presentation, a thorough checklist ensures no important detail is overlooked. This tool not only aids in structuring the preparation timeline but also helps in maintaining quality and coherence throughout the poster. Incorporating key tasks such as defining the poster's objectives, selecting appropriate software and tools, and practicing the presentation can significantly enhance the poster's impact.

Essential Checklist Components

The cornerstone of a poster presentation preparation checklist includes tasks such as:

Identifying the main message and target audience.

Researching and gathering relevant data and literature.

Selecting the right software and tools for design.

Drafting the layout and organizing content effectively.

Incorporating visual elements (graphs, images, charts) to complement the text.

Revising and refining the content for clarity and impact.

Ensuring adherence to the specific size and orientation requirements.

Printing or finalizing the digital version of the poster.

Preparing to create a concise and engaging oral synopsis for interaction with the audience.

Scheduling rehearsals to refine delivery and anticipate answers to questions.

Leveraging Real-World Examples

Examining real-world examples of successful poster presentations can provide valuable insights into effective preparation strategies. For instance, award-winning posters often demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, innovative use of visual aids, and clear communication of complex ideas. Academic institutions and professional conferences frequently share such examples, offering a practical glimpse into the preparation process that led to their success. These cases underline the importance of thorough planning and the impact of a well-prepared presentation.

Guidance from Experienced Presenters and Educators

Experienced presenters and educators emphasize the significance of early and thorough preparation. Resources like The Effective Poster Presentation Guide and The Academic's Handbook to Presentations offer comprehensive checklists and tips, covering every aspect of poster design and presentation. These resources advocate for a proactive approach, suggesting that presenters seek feedback during the preparation process and adapt their posters based on constructive criticism. Following a detailed checklist not only facilitates a smoother preparation experience but also increases confidence, ensuring presenters are well-equipped to engage their audience effectively.

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FAQs on Poster Presentations

What is a poster presentation format.

A poster presentation format involves a visual and textual summary of research or a project displayed on a large poster. This format is designed to facilitate interactive discussions between the presenter and the audience, often in an academic or professional conference setting. Key components include the title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, and conclusions, strategically arranged for readability and impact.

What are the rules of poster presentation?

The fundamental rules include clarity in design and content, succinctness in text, effective use of visuals (such as graphs, charts, and images), adherence to specified size and orientation guidelines, humor and preparedness for an engaging discussion with the audience. Additionally, respecting copyright laws and citing sources accurately is essential.

How to prepare a poster?

Preparing a poster involves identifying the main message, gathering and organizing content, designing the layout using appropriate software, incorporating visual elements to support the text, and revising content for clarity. Following a detailed checklist can ensure a comprehensive preparation process.

How do I make my poster presentation stand out?

To make a poster stand out, focus on creating an eye-catching design, concise and impactful content, high-quality visuals, and a clear, logical flow of information. Interactive elements, such as QR codes for digital posters, can also enhance engagement. Practicing your pitch to communicate and sell your message effectively during the poster session will further distinguish your presentation.

What is the definition of a poster?

A poster is a visual tool used to communicate information concisely and attractively, combining text and graphical elements. It serves various purposes, including advertising, education, and information dissemination in both public spaces and specialized settings for events like academic conferences.

What is the purpose of a poster?

The purpose of a poster is to present information in a way that is accessible and engaging to a wide audience. In academic and professional contexts, for example, posters aim to summarize research findings or project details, facilitating discussion and knowledge exchange.

What makes a good poster?

A good poster effectively communicates its message through a clear, coherent design, concise content, impactful visuals, and a viewer-friendly layout. It engages and interests the audience, encourages interaction, and conveys the essence of the research or project succinctly.

How do you write a poster?

Writing a poster involves drafting text that is clear, concise, and focused on the key messages. Use bullet points for easy reading, integrate visuals to explain complex ideas, and ensure the content is organized logically, with distinct sections for the introduction, motivation, methodology, results, and conclusions.

What do you mean by poster presentation?

A poster presentation refers to the process of summarizing research or a project on a poster and presenting it to an audience, typically at academic, scientific, or related professional events. It allows for direct interaction with viewers, offering opportunities for feedback and discussion.

How do I make a poster presentation?

Making and selling a poster presentation involves several steps: selecting the right content and visuals, designing the poster layout, printing or preparing the digital display, and finally rehearsing an engaging synopsis of your work for presentation to the audience.

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Creating a Poster Presentation Template

Methodically Creating a Poster Template

Establishing a Flexible Template Structure Introduction: Foundations of Versatility Creating a flexible poster template structure is essential for adapting to various content needs and presentation contexts. This adaptability allows users to customize their presentations while maintaining a coherent and professional design aesthetic. Background: The Importance of Flexibility In the realm

The Future of Poster Presentations

Predicting Emerging Trends in Poster Design

The Impact of New Technologies on Poster Design Introduction: Revolutionizing Visual Communication The landscape of poster design is undergoing a radical transformation, driven by the advent of new technologies. These innovations not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of posters but also extend their functionality, making them more interactive and impactful.

Poster Presentations in Virtual Environments

Adapting Posters in Virtual Environments

Best Practices for Virtual Poster Presentations Introduction: Mastering the Art of Virtual Presentation Virtual, poster boards and presentations have become a staple in the academic and professional landscape, offering a unique platform to showcase research and ideas remotely. Mastering this format requires understanding best practices that cater to digital environments.

How to Put a Poster Presentation on Your CV/Resume

Include every relevant experience and skill on your resume to stand out when job hunting. Don’t forget the presentations you’ve delivered, such as poster presentations.

Adding a poster presentation to your resume highlights your experience in presenting and communicating with a broad audience. It also showcases your interest in research and your critical thinking skills about specific issues.

If you’re unsure about adding a poster presentation to your resume, here are a few helpful tips:

• Start by dedicating a section in your resume for the poster presentation.
• Include the name of the author, title of the presentation, as well as the date and location.
• Next, include a brief overview of what the presentation was about.
• Finally, list any skills or experience that you gained from giving the presentation. (These could include public speaking, research, or critical thinking skills.)

What is a poster presentation?

Should i include my poster presentation on my resume, the author’s name, add a title to the poster presentation., date of presentation, location of presentation, brief overview and explanation of the presentation, skills and experience gained from giving a presentation, why put a poster presentation in your resume, is it necessary to put every poster presentation on your resume.

A poster presentation is common in academic settings. It involves creating a poster to display visual information about a research project. The presenter stands by the poster and gives a brief overview of the topic.

Poster presentations are a fantastic way to share your research and gain feedback. They’re also excellent for learning research methods and honing public speaking skills.

Include your poster presentation on your resume if you’ve given one before. This shows employers you’re an experienced presenter and can communicate your ideas clearly and concisely.

Additionally, having a poster presentation on your resume can distinguish you from other job candidates.

Poster presentation section on the resume

After listing your education, work history, and research skills, you should add a section on presentations and publications.

Use commas and bolding. The last name should come first, followed by the first and middle names. Ensure the name matches the order on the poster.

Enter the complete title of the poster presentation exactly as it appears on your poster.

Write the month, day, and year in numerical form.

Include the city and country. For U.S. conferences, mention the state, city, and region. For international events, just add the country.

This section highlights the main points and key takeaways from the presentation.

Giving the presentation helped me gain public speaking skills . I also learned to handle questions and manage my time better. It was a great chance to build my confidence.

Mention how the experience has helped you in your current role or will impact your future career. For instance, if you presented a poster on your thesis research, you could say that the experience has developed your critical thinking and research skills .

Adding a poster presentation to your resume or CV shows your skills and experience to potential employers. They will be impressed by your ability to design, create, and clearly present information.

The answer is a bit complicated. You should list any relevant poster presentations when they align with the job you’re applying for.

You don’t need to list every poster presentation you’ve ever done. Focus on the most relevant ones for the job you’re applying for and leave out the rest.

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Tips on Poster Design & Presentation

General thoughts:.

• A poster is NOT a collection of slides from a talk, or a research paper printed out on a big sheet of paper.
• Posters are more visual (effective graphics, not as much text), and meant to encourage discussion with viewers during the poster session.
• Discuss your poster plans with your mentor early. Some mentors will provide specific templates.
• Remember you are representing the entire research team when you present a poster, so it is essential to get everyone’s input before printing.

Principles to keep in mind:

• Practical details. Be sure to read the instructions, especially for size of the poster. An easy and generally accessible way to put together your poster is in Powerpoint. Just set the page size correctly at the beginning, so you don’t have to reformat everything later when you realize you used the wrong size.
• Basic components . You need to include: a title and list of authors; introduction with background information; methods; results; and discussion with conclusions and possibly future directions. Note “abstract” is not on the list. The poster is already a summary, so it is not necessary to add another block of text further summarizing the poster. But check with the meeting rules as some do want an abstract. A reference section is also not on the list, although you can include some. The rules are not as stringent as for a publication, but if there are a few key references you want your viewers to know about, you can include them directly in the text, with enough information for people to find the paper, or gather them at the end in a short
• Organization . Most posters use horizontal layout (wider than they are tall), but when viewed during the poster session by actual people, the viewers want to move once from left to right, instead of moving back and forth several times. To facilitate this, organize the poster in columns (2-4, depending on the poster width), and put everything in the columns in order.
• Size of elements and the “arm’s length” test . When you have the basic elements of the poster in place, print out a copy on a letter sized piece of paper and hold it at arm’s length. You should be able to read most of the text and tell what is in the figures. If not, you need to use a larger font size (and probably edit down your text) and make the figures larger. You want everything to be easily read by someone standing a few feet away, behind the crowd that will inevitably form to discuss your exciting data.
• Other visual design principles. Because posters are a visual medium (and poster sessions are a bit of a competition for attention), it can help to have a visual entry point to grab the viewer’s attention. This can be an enlargement of an image from your research, or a diagram of the system you work on, or a picture of your experimental organism, placed prominently at the top of the poster. Another principle that will make your poster easier to view is to keep the color scheme limited. You may have to include some colors that are in your data, but then try to reuse the same colors elsewhere. Finally, be consistent in your layout—keep the column widths consistent, make graphs fit the columns instead of the other way around, and line everything up.
• Font and text. To avoid too much visual noise, stick to one font or font family (preferably a sans serif font, definitely not comic sans), have consistent rules about size, and be judicious in your use of bolding or underlining for emphasis. Most importantly, remember that empty space is your friend on a poster, and you can use it to make the important points really stand out. Edit your text ruthlessly. The point of a poster session is to have conversations about your project with the attendees, so you don’t need to explain every detail on the poster.
• Rehearse . You want to have a short presentation (no more than 10 minutes) prepared, to “walk” someone through your poster. You should rehearse the presentation ahead of time, and make sure you remember the important points. In fact, you should outline what you want to say while you are designing the poster, to make sure the order on the poster matches your presentation.
• Have fun! Look at the schedule, and make sure you are standing at your poster at the correct time. Be engaging, encourage questions, offer to explain your poster to anyone who pauses for an instant, and convey your excitement about your work.

For additional pointers, this blog is very helpful: http://betterposters.blogspot.com/ . It gives many examples of good (and hilariously bad) posters, and lots of specific design advice.

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ERAS 'Publications' Listing FAQ

• Thread starter atsai3
• Start date Jul 27, 2010

Full Member

• Jul 27, 2010
• Articles that have been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Abstracts that have been published in a peer-reviewed journal. (This is rare, but generally some academic societies have their abstracts published in peer-reviewed journals. For example, abstracts from the International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism World Congress, September 13-16, 2010 were published in a supplement to the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research . This is not a peer-reviewed venue in the traditional sense, so Still Kickin was right to express some reservations about this in another thread . If you were submitting materials for tenure, then you would not list this in any 'peer-reviewed' section of your CV. However, for the purposes of a medical student applying for residency training using the CAF, it is generally considered acceptable to list in this section.)
• For completed articles published in non-peer-reviewed venues (e.g., newspaper op-eds, Harvard Business School case studies), see below.
• For abstracts that have been 'published' not in peer-reviewed journals (e.g. conference abstract CD-ROM, conference program book, etc.) see below.
• Articles that have been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• Articles that have been conditionally accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• For not-yet completed manuscripts that have been submitted for publication, not yet been submitted for publication but are intended for submission, etc., see below.
• Posters that were presented at a regional, national or international research conference. Generally this means that a physical item resembling a research poster was created, and you stood next to the poster during the poster session to discuss the work with viewers.
• Posters that were presented at a medical school 'research day' can be included here.
• Posters that you presented at a regional, national or international research conference, even if you were not listed as first author, can be included here.
• Posters that were presented by another member of your research team (i.e., not you) at a regional, national or international research conference, even if you were listed as one of the authors -- even if you were listed as first author -- should not be included here. A listing belongs here if you were the one who did the talking.
• Presentations given at a regional, national or international research conference. Generally this means that you delivered a presentation from a podium in a lecture hall.
• 'Grand Rounds' presentations (that were explicitly labeled as such) delivered at an academic medical center or community hospital can be included here. This is a nod to medical tradition, as 'Grand Rounds' presentations are typically afforded a greater degree of prestige and visibility the medical field (rightly or wrongly so).
• Other teaching presentations delivered in a relatively high-visibility setting (e.g., a presentation on ACLS as part of a training course for para-medical professionals, CME talks, a 'brown bag' seminar at a Department of Economics, etc.) can be included here.
• Presentations delivered to your hospital ward team during routine clinical care, in a journal club setting, etc. are generally not included here.
• Significant publications that do not belong in the other categories can be included here. For example: books, book chapters, newspaper op-eds, the American Journal of Psychiatry's " Electronic Edition for Residents ", etc. If it seems weird to you that a full-length book is downgraded in the eyes of science, then that is generally an accurate description of perceptions in the field. A book is not peer reviewed and carries less weight in the academy then a body of peer-reviewed journal articles. For example, the 'intelligent design' movement is typically denigrated because it has not published in a peer reviewed venue (even though its proponents have published many very widely read books). As another example, Samantha Power won a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award for her book, 'A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide', but her academic appointment is ' professor of practice ' because her body of work has not been published in peer reviewed venues.
• This section includes all research experience. It would be appropriate to highlight work that has led to publications in any fora (peer-reviewed or not) or awards. For example, "Under the supervision of Professor XYZ, I studied the year-end transfer process of resident continuity clinic patients and the impact of a caseload construction algorithm on physician workload. For this project I conducted the chart review and implemented the statistical analyses. This work was presented at Conference XYZ (see below) and has been submitted for publication in Journal XYZ." Note here the explicit reference "see below" avoids the appearance of double-counting.
• If you were an author on research that was presented in abstract form at a conference, either as a poster or oral presentation, but you were not the presenter, then you can list the research under 'peer reviewed journal articles/abstracts' if it was published in a peer reviewed journal. If the research was not published in a peer reviewed journal (either as a full article or as an abstract), then you should not list it in any of the categories above. It would be appropriate to describe your involvement in the research project in the 'Research Experience' section.
• If you were an author on a draft manuscript that is intended for submission to a peer reviewed journal, or has been submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal, or is currently under review at a peer reviewed journal, but has not advanced further in the publication process (e.g., revise and resubmit, provisionally accepted, accepted for publication, in press, etc.) then you should not list it under 'peer reviewed journal articles'. It would be appropriate to describe your involvement in the research project in the 'Research Experience' section. For example: "Under the supervision of Professor XYZ, I studied the modulation of working memory performance in healthy volunteers with non-invasive cortical stimulation. I also regularly performed clinical assessments in the lab's clinic. We have completed a draft manuscript, "The modulation of working memory performance in children with autism", and by September we plan to submit it for publication in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders ."
• Some program directors have been known to ask for any publications listed in your CAF. Therefore, if you do not yet have a draft manuscript available, then you should not describe it as a 'draft manuscript' in this section.
• In general, you should only include listings that you are comfortable representing as your level of involvement in a particular category.
• Be conservative in your category assignments. If you are perceived by residency application reviewers to be 'upselling', that will reflect negatively on your application.
• If you are generally curious about a category assignment, search the SDN forum archives to see if your situation has been described by another applicant in the past. If your search of the SDN forum archives does not yield any fruitful answers, consider posting a question on the SDN forum.
• If you are considering posting a question on the SDN forum because you just want to see how much upselling you can get away with, then please do not post your question.
• If you gave a (poster or oral) presentation at a conference, and the abstract corresponding to your presentation was subsequently published in a peer-reviewed journal (e.g., abstracts from the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism ), then you can list in more than one category: (a) peer reviewed journal abstracts, and (b) (poster or oral) presentations.
• If you gave a (poster or oral) presentation at a conference, and the abstract corresponding to your presentation was 'published' in a non-peer reviewed venue (such as the conference program book or CD-ROM), then see above: this would not count as a 'peer reviewed' publication, and you should not list in more than one category. (If this seems like a capricious function of the academic society's decision about whether or not to commission a journal supplement, it is. If you feel like this is 'unfair' because you don't get to list your work in the 'peer reviewed journal abstracts' section of the CAF, then get over it. Life is unfair.)
• Jul 31, 2010

Are you sure that if I have a paper "accepted" by a peer reviewed journal, and they tell me the publication date, but it is not yet printed, that I can't list it as a peer reviewed publication?  

No Meat, No Treat

gstrub said: Are you sure that if I have a paper "accepted" by a peer reviewed journal, and they tell me the publication date, but it is not yet printed, that I can't list it as a peer reviewed publication? Click to expand...

• Aug 2, 2010

Ears, Noses, and Throats

So just to make sure, if I have a manuscript that is submitted for publication but still currently under review, I should not list it under Peer Reviewed Journal Articles/Abstracts (Other than Published) ? Only reason I ask is because I have been told otherwise by faculty in my department (granted, not the PD).  

• Aug 3, 2010

ZagDoc said: So just to make sure, if I have a manuscript that is submitted for publication but still currently under review, I should not list it under Peer Reviewed Journal Articles/Abstracts (Other than Published) ? Only reason I ask is because I have been told otherwise by faculty in my department (granted, not the PD). Click to expand...

keaneintheblock

• Aug 6, 2010

I'm actually in a dilemma. I have a published abstract in the " American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine": Circulating Endothelial Microparticles As A Measure Of Lung Destruction In Smokers C. Gordon, K. Gudi, A. Krause, R. Sackrowitz, F. Zakko, Y. Strulovici-Barel, B. Harvey, R. G. Crystal Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States of America Am J Respir Crit Care Med 181;2010:A3444 I put it in the first category ( articles/abstracts, peer reviewed, published). It's not indexed in Pubmed yet. I'm confused what to put in the volume and pages section ( because it's an abstaract). They also ask for the publication name. Do they mean by that just the name " American Journal of Respirtory and Critical Care Medicine" Here's a link : http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/citation/181/1_MeetingAbstracts/A3444 I'll appreciate any feedback. Thanks.  

• Aug 7, 2010

keaneintheblock said: I'm actually in a dilemma. I have a published abstract in the " American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine": Circulating Endothelial Microparticles As A Measure Of Lung Destruction In Smokers C. Gordon, K. Gudi, A. Krause, R. Sackrowitz, F. Zakko, Y. Strulovici-Barel, B. Harvey, R. G. Crystal Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States of America Am J Respir Crit Care Med 181;2010:A3444 I put it in the first category ( articles/abstracts, peer reviewed, published). It's not indexed in Pubmed yet. I'm confused what to put in the volume and pages section ( because it's an abstaract). They also ask for the publication name. Do they mean by that just the name " American Journal of Respirtory and Critical Care Medicine" Here's a link : http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/citation/181/1_MeetingAbstracts/A3444 I'll appreciate any feedback. Thanks. Click to expand...

• Aug 12, 2010

If I have a poster, but was not the one "doing the talking," and the abstract was not published, does it belong anywhere?  

gstrub said: If I have a poster, but was not the one "doing the talking," and the abstract was not published, does it belong anywhere? Click to expand...

• Aug 14, 2010

atsai3 said: You could discuss it in the 'Research Experience' section. -AT. Click to expand...

Brodmann said: I was a senior scientific member of an International congress and arranged some teleconferences and ...; Should I mention this in my Research experiences or in my Personal Statement? Click to expand...

• Aug 15, 2010

atsai3 said: Not really. But it would probably be better described in "Volunteer Experiences" or "Other Awards/Accomplishments". -AT. Click to expand...

Brodmann said: Another situation: We had a Student Research Committee in our school. Can I mention my membership, activities, work shop experiences, symposiums and ... there? If yes, where? Again thanks a lot, Click to expand...

alittlestory

• Aug 16, 2010

alittlestory said: ERAS 2011 has specified loads of categories for publications, i.e. non-peer reviewed, non-published, online publication and other articles etc. As a medical editor for a society- I have lots of articles that are posted to both their website and the bi-monthly e-newsletter...where would this fall? Also, if abstracts have been submitted for conference presentations... and will subsequently be published in a peer-reviewed journal (if accepted) where does this go? Lastly, abstracts submitted for oral presentation-- would that go under abstracts or oral presentations?! thanks Click to expand...

alittlestory said: ERAS 2011 has specified loads of categories for publications, i.e. non-peer reviewed, non-published, online publication and other articles etc. As a medical editor for a society- I have lots of articles that are posted to both their website and the bi-monthly e-newsletter...where would this fall? Click to expand...

Also, if abstracts have been submitted for conference presentations... and will subsequently be published in a peer-reviewed journal (if accepted) where does this go? Click to expand...

Lastly, abstracts submitted for oral presentation-- would that go under abstracts or oral presentations?! thanks Click to expand...

atsai3 said: Honestly, I haven't seen ERAS 2011. But little articles like these should be considered non-peer reviewed. See the FAQ (with caveat by ZagDoc, see post #14 ): "If you were an author on a draft manuscript that is intended for submission to a peer reviewed journal, or has been submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal, or is currently under review at a peer reviewed journal, but has not advanced further in the publication process (e.g., revise and resubmit, provisionally accepted, accepted for publication, in press, etc.) then you should not list it under 'peer reviewed journal articles'." Same as above. "Submitted" really doesn't mean anything. -AT. Click to expand...

IHeartNerds

karatekid said: My 2 cents. Click to expand...

• Aug 17, 2010

Thanks for the responses... perhaps since the options are new for 2011, it's going to be difficult to clarify... Still unsure if my medical writing for the website should go under "Other Articles" versus "Non-Peer Reviewed Online Publications"- And if they've allowed for the "submitted" option from the drop down menu, what is the drawback for listing our submitted abstracts? If someone could please let me know specifically how to delineate the difference between an abstract submitted for poster vs. oral... I don't know where to put these (Presentation vs. Abstracts) thanks  

• Aug 21, 2010

gutonc said: Where else would you put it? Also, if it has been accepted for publication, it's probably already available as an "Epub Ahead of Print" and is listed in PubMed and available for download. As such, it's probably kosher to even just put it in the "Peer Reviewed Journal Articles" section and be done with it. If you have a publication date (and Volume/Issue/Page #), go ahead...it's not like they're going to reject it now. My personal belief is that, if it's indexed on PubMed, it's published and you're in the clear. I have an article that won't be physically printed until October but has been online for a month. If I was filling out ERAS right now, damn right that would be in my Publications list. Click to expand...

Brodmann said: Same situation: I have an article available as "Epub ahead of print" with a PMID in pubmed. In the publication page of the ERAS, there are required asterisk items (Vol. No. pages) to fill that I don't know what to do. When I put the [Epub...] in those 3 items In my CV or CAF it will be written as: " ..., Journal of ... . 2010 Jul; [Epub ahead of print([Epub ahead of print): [Epub ahead of print. Cited in PubMed; PMID: ........ " Isn't it awkward for the PD to read that as above (3 [Epub...] in a row)? Click to expand...

bbqbakedlays

• Aug 22, 2010

I'm kinda confused- are you all using abstracts that were accepted for conference presentations twice? Once for the actual oral or poster presentation, and also once for the "abstract" as a publication? If I submitted an abstract for a conference, then I only put that abstract in the oral presentation section even though the abstract would also be published in the meeting journal issue. Am I "underselling" or just being reasonable?  

drcocochanel

• Aug 23, 2010

Another redundant question, I recently submitted an abstract to ASH. I will not receive notification of acceptance till October. I asked to be considered for both oral and poster presentation, likely I will get the latter since it was a small retrospective cohort study. Should I put this anywhere under the publication section, such as poster presentation with the designation of "submitted". Or is this inappropriate, should I just mention this in my research experience section at the end, such as "submitted abstract to ASH Annual Conference 8/10; notification pending"  

drcocochanel said: Another redundant question, I recently submitted an abstract to ASH. I will not receive notification of acceptance till October. I asked to be considered for both oral and poster presentation, likely I will get the latter since it was a small retrospective cohort study. Should I put this anywhere under the publication section, such as poster presentation with the designation of "submitted". Or is this inappropriate, should I just mention this in my research experience section at the end, such as "submitted abstract to ASH Annual Conference 8/10; notification pending" Click to expand...

Anyone have an answer to whether you guys are counting abstracts submitted for conference presentations that were accepted and are published in a meeting journal as 1) presentation and 2) published abstract? I will only count mine as presentations unless you guys have advice to the contrary.  

calespine said: Anyone have an answer to whether you guys are counting abstracts submitted for conference presentations that were accepted and are published in a meeting journal as 1) presentation and 2) published abstract? I will only count mine as presentations unless you guys have advice to the contrary. Click to expand...

bbqbakedlays said: Ok so wait. Nobody answered my question..lol Can I put it as a publication if it was accepted for poster at the October meeting....I technically will not have presented it yet because I am sumbitting my application on Sept 1 at 1201 am. If not, I will just keep it in the research experience section. meh. Thanks!!! Click to expand...

• Aug 24, 2010

atsai3 said: You only need "Epub ahead of print" for one of the fields. For the others, just use a filler, like "x" or ".". The program director can figure it out. -AT. Click to expand...

Brodmann said: Thanks again. Do we necessarily have to fill the section "Reason for Leaving" in the Experiences part for all of our activities? Click to expand...

Doctor4Life1769

**tr0llin, ridin dirty**.

What if you presented at a national conference, AND the manuscript was later published in a journal? Should you count it as " Peer Reviewed Journal Articles/Abstracts" or "Poster Presentation"? Thanks!  

Doctor4Life1769 said: What if you presented at a national conference, AND the manuscript was later published in a journal? Should you count it as " Peer Reviewed Journal Articles/Abstracts" or "Poster Presentation"? Thanks! Click to expand...

calespine said: Do you mean an actual manuscript or just an abstract? I assume you mean the abstract was published- and if so, the answer is provided a few posts above. Click to expand...

Doctor4Life1769 said: No. I mean the actual manuscript. It is in a journal. Click to expand...

calespine said: Ah- sorry, yeah then I would include both the poster presentation and the publication. I don't think this is padding. Click to expand...

Doctor4Life1769 said: Cool, thanks. One more thing, tried to find it but maybe I'm overlooking ... would something you list in "publications" also be put into the "experiences" section under research or is it considered double-posting/padding? Sorry if its dumb and been addressed ... Click to expand...

• Aug 25, 2010

In the 'experience' section, describe your work and state that it led to publication. e.g. "The aim of the research project was to describe the dating habits of fruit flies. For this project I pipetted bug juice 80 hours a day and contributed to the writing of the 'data collection' section of the manuscript. My work on this project led to a 5th-authored publication (see below)." -AT.  

• Aug 26, 2010

I got a quick question about a case report. I wrote the case report and its finished and ready for submission. Do you think its okay to put this under "other than published" and then for status put submitted. And if yes what do I put for publication name? thanks a lot!  

• Aug 27, 2010

bigj626 said: I got a quick question about a case report. I wrote the case report and its finished and ready for submission. Do you think its okay to put this under "other than published" and then for status put submitted. And if yes what do I put for publication name? thanks a lot! Click to expand...

• Aug 28, 2010

atsai3 said: In the 'experience' section, describe your work and state that it led to publication. e.g. "The aim of the research project was to describe the dating habits of fruit flies. For this project I pipetted bug juice 80 hours a day and contributed to the writing of the 'data collection' section of the manuscript. My work on this project led to a 5th-authored publication (see below)." -AT. Click to expand...

• Aug 30, 2010

I wrote an entry that was published in a medical encyclopedia which has multiple editors and editions, and am wondering where to list this in ERAS. Do I list it under Other Articles or Peer Reviewed Book Chapter? While I have the publication details to list it in Peer Reviewed Book Chapter, I am inclined to list it in Other Articles to avoid upselling. What's your opinion? Also, if I list it under Other Articles, then what should I put for "Title of Other Article" and "Publication Name"? For example, say the title of my entry was "ABCD" and the encyclopedia was "XYZ Encyclopedia, 10th edition, with AC and TH as editors." Does "ABCD" go under Title or Publication name? And how much detail do I include regarding the encyclopedia? Pardon my neuroses and thanks for your responses!  

Calipers said: I wrote an entry that was published in a medical encyclopedia which has multiple editors and editions, and am wondering where to list this in ERAS. Do I list it under Other Articles or Peer Reviewed Book Chapter? While I have the publication details to list it in Peer Reviewed Book Chapter, I am inclined to list it in Other Articles to avoid upselling. What's your opinion? Also, if I list it under Other Articles, then what should I put for "Title of Other Article" and "Publication Name"? For example, say the title of my entry was "ABCD" and the encyclopedia was "XYZ Encyclopedia, 10th edition, with AC and TH as editors." Does "ABCD" go under Title or Publication name? And how much detail do I include regarding the encyclopedia? Pardon my neuroses and thanks for your responses! Click to expand...

• Sep 2, 2010

atsai3 said: In general, book chapters are not considered peer reviewed. As is discussed in the FAQ, anyone can write a book. It would not be appropriate to represent a medical encyclopedia article as 'peer reviewed'. -AT. Click to expand...

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How do I add a virtual oral presentation at a national meeting to a CV?

How do I add a virtual oral presentation at at national meeting to a CV? The oral presentation was originally in person at a national convention scheduled for September 2020 which has now been changed to a totally virtually meeting. How is this recorded in a CV? Is mention made that it is a virtual presentation? Is the url included?

The American Psychological Association's APA Style Blog offers guidance on listing conference presentations on your CV for conferences that have been canceled or changed to a virtual format in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The blog entry addresses a number of possible scenarios. For guidance on  referencing virtual/online conferences , please scroll down to scenarios 2 and 3 in the numbered list: 

https://apastyle.apa.org/blog/canceled-conferences

Please note that the APA Style Blog guidance says, "There is no need to indicate that the conference is online only. Online-only conferences use the same template as in-person conferences." 

As for the location of the conference, The APA Publication Manual (7th ed.), Section 9.31 Works With Specific Locations, states, "For works associated with a specific location, such as conference presentations, ... include the location in the source element of the reference to help with retrieval" (p. 297). So for a conference that is NOT associated with a specific location because it was planned and held online only, you do not include a physical location, nor do you include "virtual" or "online" where the physical location would typically appear.

Do include the URL of the conference as the final element of the reference.  

• Citation style
• Last Updated Oct 04, 2021
• Views 17921
• Answered By Michele Nance

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Comments (5)

• This response does not answer the question. The request was how to reference an online conference - not one that was cancelled. APA style for conference presentations requires that the conference location be noted - what does one do when the conference is virtual? - do you identify the location as "online", "virtual", leave it blank, or something else? by Lloyd on Feb 22, 2021
• That APA Style Blog entry may refer to cancelled conferences in the entry title, but if you scroll down to view/read the full response, you will see it addresses various scenarios of the pandemic's effect on professional conferences: Scenarios number 2 and 3 provide guidance for referencing conferences that are (or were changed to) online only (2), and for referencing conferences that took place (online or in-person), but you were unable to attend or present (3). APA guidance for conference presentations only requires that the conference location be noted when the conference is associated with a specific location. If there is no associated location, you simply DO NOT INCLUDE a location. If there is a URL for the online conference, be sure to include that as the final element of the reference. by Michele Nance on Feb 22, 2021
• This still does not answer the question. How do you cite a conference that was originally planned as virtual (not changed to virtual) and that you presented at virtually. The blog only tells you what to do if the conference had an original location, was canceled or you were unable to present. by JT on Mar 03, 2021
• Read scenario number 2 in the APA Style Blog's answer, "There is no need to indicate that the conference is online only. Online-only conferences use the same template as in-person conferences." The original question was specifically about conferences that were planned to be held in person and were changed to online in response to the pandemic. However, the APA answer says "there is no need indicate that a conference is online only," so it does not matter whether it was planned to be virtual or changed to virtual. by Michele Nance on Mar 03, 2021
• Thank you so much, your answers are very thorough and helpful! by Augusta on Mar 03, 2021

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Presentation Guidelines: Posters

Poster presentations provide an opportunity for interchange of ideas between the presenter and attendees interested in his/her study. The poster should be outlined so the research can be understood without an oral explanation as a poster may also be viewed when the author is not present.

PosterCast: New for PAS 2020: Maximize the impact of your research by recording a three-minute audio explanation of your poster presentation using PosterCast , a free smartphone app. All poster presenters are required to make a PosterCast recording. More information on PosterCast .

Session: Posters will be presented during four sessions at the convention center exhibit hall. Please remain by your poster for the time specified below and discuss research personally with interested individuals.

Set-Up:  Each poster board is numbered sequentially in your session. Locate your assigned poster board and mount your poster within the time noted on these instructions. Pushpins will be provided in the area. Your poster should be displayed only on the day you will be presenting; because other posters use the same numbers, a poster that is displayed on the wrong day will be removed.

Take-Down:  Please disassemble your posted materials at the end of the session.  Any materials left on the poster board at the end of the session will be removed and stored at the Poster Concierge located in the exhibit hall. PAS will not be responsible for posters left at the end of each session.

Design:   Poster Board Dimension:  Surface of the board: 4 feet high and 8 feet wide  (1.22 metres and 2.44 metres) . Note: poster must fit on the board but does not have to be the same size as the board.  

Header:  Prepare a headline that identifies your research to be mounted at the top of the poster board. Lettering should be 1½” (3.81 cm) high or more. Include authors and their affiliations under the header. Disclosure information should be visibly notated on poster presentation immediately following the poster title and authors.

Organization:  The key is to achieve  clarity  and  simplicity.  Do not overload or overcrowd the poster. Use a coherent sequence (top to bottom or left to right) to guide the viewer through the poster. Use figures, tables, graphs and photographs when appropriate; keep text brief. It may be helpful to have materials pre-mounted on mounting boards.  All materials should be legible from a distance.  

Typography:  Avoid using abbreviations, acronyms and jargon. Font should be consistent throughout.  

Completion:  Ask yourself the following questions about your poster:

➊   What do I want the viewer to remember?

➋   Is the message clear?

➌   Do important points stand out?

➍   Is there a balance between words/illustrations?

➎   Is the pathway through the poster clear?

➏   Is the poster understandable without oral explanation?

New for PAS 2020: Maximize the impact of your research by recording a three-minute audio explanation of your poster presentation using PosterCast , a free smartphone app. All poster presenters are required to make an audio recording. Click here for more information on PosterCast . [add link]  

Poster Session Schedules

Please wear your badge for entry.   (Schedule is subject to change)

LDI, Call4Posters ™ ,  who, for a fee, can assist poster presenters with the production of their posters, may contact you.  LDI will contact you via email at a later date.  Should you not be interested in this service, please disregard the email that will be sent to the contact person on the abstract. Visit  Call4Posters  for information on their services.

AMCAS Work and Activities Examples: How to Stand Out

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Dr. Rachel Rizal and Dr. Rishi Mediratta , your Cracking Med School Admissions application advisors, have literally read tens of thousands of AMCAS Work and Activities descriptions. We strategize new ways to help our students stand out on their AMCAS Activities section each year. We update this “AMCAS Work and Activities Examples” blog post several times a cycle so that you have the latest, high-yield tips.  Read all our tips to write an outstanding medical school application below. Learn from several AMCAS work and activities examples from successful applicants!

BOOKMARK THIS PAGE TO MAKE IT YOUR GO-TO GUIDE FOR AMCAS ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTIONS!

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Learn how to write  excellent AMCAS work and activities descriptions: 

How to Write an AMCAS Activity Description

Amcas activity categories.

• Shadowing descriptions
• Research descriptions
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• Non-Clinical Volunteering descriptions
• Paid employment descriptions
• Publication descriptions
• Poster presentation descriptions
• Conferences Attended descriptions
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• Teaching / Tutoring / Teaching Assistant

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Need help with your AMCAS primary application, including the AMCAS activity section? Send us a question below .  We can help you shine on your medical school primary applications, secondary essays, and interviews!

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How To Write an AMCAS Activity Description

The basics: how to fill out the work and activities section .

On the AMCAS application, one of the major sections is the AMCAS Activities section. You have space to fill up to 15 work and activities entries. For each activities entry, you can identify which category best describes your experience, and you have 700 characters to describe the activities, known as the “activity description.”  Additionally, you can designate three of your activities as your most meaningful experiences. For these 3 most meaningful activities , you have an additional 1325 characters to write why this activity is meaningful to you. We have an entire blog post dedicated on how to write your AMCAS most meaningful experiences .

An AMCAS activity description contains several pieces of information, including demographic information and descriptive information.

• Experience Type (Look at AMCAS Activity Categories right below)
• Experience Name
• Organization Name
• Hours per Week
• Contact Name, Title, email, and phone number
• City / State / Country
• Experience Description – 700 characters each
• 3 Most Meaningful Activities – 1325 characters each

The experience description on the AMCAS is where students can really shine and stand out among thousands of applications. It is absolutely critical that you try to optimize the 700 characters allotted. When you look at the AMCAS example below, you’ll see the various elements of a good AMCAS activity description. 

Look at the AMCAS activity description example below to see what an AMCAS activity description looks like to an admission committee application reviewer! 

This is what an AMCAS activities section description looks like filled out

Elements of an AMCAS description:

Your 15 AMCAS activity entries need to complement each other. In some, you may highlight your clinical knowledge. In others, you may talk more about your research and analytical skills. Here are elements you can incorporate into your AMCAS work and activities descriptions. 

• Organization overview: If it is not obvious what the organization what the organization is, then you can write one sentence MAX about the organizations goals and mission. This will help provide context about your extracurricular activity experience. 
• What you did: Write a description highlighting what YOU did for that specific work or activity. Focus on impact. One common mistake our Cracking Med School Admissions team finds is that applicants talk too much about the organization and not enough about what the applicant did during the activity.
• Story:  You may want to discuss a challenge you overcame or a memorable patient. Stories bring you and the individuals you help through your activities to life. We strongly recommend incorporating a story! The stories you include in your AMCAS experience description  should not be the same as the stories that you include in your medical school personal statement . 
• Reflections and Lessons Learned:  You can add specific lessons learned and insights from your experience. The key to standing out is to be very specific.
• Leadership Role:  Highlight any leadership roles you had, especially if you were a Founder or President. 
• Awards / Publications / Impact: If you won any awards, make sure to note them. Finally, if you can tie the activity with how you can relate it to your future career in medicine, you should mention it in the end. You can use a few characters to say “1st author publication” or any other notable presentations or publications. But, you should also have an entire AMCAS activity description dedicated to your publication(s) and another AMCAS activity description dedicated to presentation(s).

As you can see, you can write a lot in 700 characters! It is definitely an art to bring together a solid AMCAS activity section. 

How Many Activities on AMCAS primary application? 

You can put up to 15 activities on your AMCAS application. No, that does not mean you had to be involved with 15 school activities. AMCAS activities include: gap year activities, including gap year jobs and gap year volunteering; summer internships and other summer opportunities; part-time work experiences; and other special talents you possess. 

FAQ: How Many Activities Should I Put on AMCAS? 

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team only wants you to stand out. So, we will only advise you to submit strong applications. From our experience as admissions readers and medical school admissions experts, we see that strong applicants write 13 or more AMCAS activity entries on their AMCAS applications.

AMCAS Experience Hours

Med school applicants can add different date ranges for when they were involved in an activity. For example, if you did an activity two different summers in college, you may have dates ranging 06/2022 – 08/2022 and 06/2023 – 08/2023, and include the hours for each period. 

AMCAS also differentiates between completed hours – for activities that you have already participated in – versus anticipated hours – for anticipated activities. 

There’s an entire strategy as to whether you should split your hours into numerous date ranges or put it as one continuous date. In general, we recommend that our students split their activities into different date ranges when applicable. 

FAQ: What should you do if you are expecting to do the activity this upcoming year? 

If you are doing this activity only in the next year, then you would put one date range, with the end date as the last month you expect to do that activity. For example, you would put the experience date range like 07/2024 – 05/2025 (# of expected future hours).”

FAQ: What should you do if you are expecting to do the activity this upcoming year AND you have already started the activity?

But what if you have already been doing the activity? In this case, we want to showcase the amount of time and dedication you have already done the activity  and  the amount of work that you will continue to do for the experience. Therefore,  our team recommends putting two date ranges: the past and the future. For example, you would put something like 09/2022 – 05/2023 (# of past hours) AND 07/2024 – 05/2025 (# of expected future hours). 

FAQ: Should you even include an anticipated activity?  In general, medical school admissions committee members know that plans change. In general, Drs. Rachel Rizal and Rishi Mediratta do not think you should prioritize writing about an anticipated activity (or anticipated activities). There are some exceptions:

• Anticipated work or research related to a post-graduate award (for example, if you will be pursuing a Fulbright Fellowship or the NIH postbacc program).
• Pursuit of a graduate degree related to your healthcare interests.
• You do not have all 15 work & activities entries filled out, and there is space for a major anticipated activity.
• You want to convey you will have a clinical role during the following year (e.g., full-time medical scribe or full-time medical assistant).

Contact us  or email us at  [email protected] if you have questions about your AMCAS activity hours! We’re master AMCAS activities strategists and we’ll help your AMCAS activities stand out to the medical school admissions committees!

FAQ: Should my AMCAS Descriptions be in Bullet Points or Paragraph Style?

There are two main ways an applicant can write the work activities descriptions for the AMCAS.

• Bullet points: Think about this as “resume” style. These descriptions tend to be to the point and emphasize what an applicant did for each activity.
• Paragraph form: This allows medical school applicants to write more stories and describe their activities. We recommend this format for the AMCAS and AACOMAS. 

It is a personal preference and there is not one correct format to write your AMCAS extracurricular activities descriptions. We’ve seen students succeed both ways! We strongly suggest that you stick to one format, and not alternate between bullet point and paragraph form.

We recommend our students to write most of their AMCAS work and activities descriptions in paragraph form because you can more easily incorporate a story and reflections. 

Must have Elements for Each Activity Description

• What YOU did:  What were your responsibilities? What impact did you have in this organization? Oftentimes, we read descriptions that describe the program or project, and barely touch on what the applicant did. Leaving this out is one of the most common mistakes we see.
• Reflection is KEY:  Reflection shows maturity and growth. Some reflections you can discuss in your description – What lessons did you learn? Did you face any difficulties? How did this experience impact you or change the way you think about patient care and healthcare? What did you gain from this experience that you will bring to the medical field? 

Step Up Your Game: Make Your Activities Descriptions From Good to Great

Add these components to strengthen your AMCAS activities descriptions.

• Awards and Accolades: Did you win any awards? Did you publish your research? Accolades are external validations that support the strength of your medical school application. 
• Leadership:  Especially if you were founder, first author, or president, highlight your leadership role in your activity description and make it bold.
• Impact:  Discuss the impact you had on the organization, project, or people you served. You can think about these questions: How did you impact the patients or individuals you helped – how did you change their lives or health? How did you individually drive your research project? How did your leadership and effort affect that organization’s performance? 

Most Meaningful Experience Remarks

You choose 3 activities that are your “most meaningful activities” and you have an extra 1325 to write a short essay in the “most meaningful experience remarks” description box. Think of your most meaningful experience remarks as mini personal essays. At least one of your most meaningful activities should be a clinical experience / clinical activity. Your most meaningful experience remarks should also complement what you write in the experience description section. Read the research activity example below to see how the “most meaningful experience remarks” and “experience description” can complement each other.

Additionally, we have an entire blog post dedicated to AMCAS most meaningful experience remarks tips! 

There’s a lot of strategy with filling out the work and activities section AMCAS. We’ve helped numerous students strategize about how to present their activities and work experience. And we can help you transform your AMCAS descriptions to your AACOMAS application and TMDSAS application.

If you need a second opinion or need help with how to best position your activities,  don’t hesitate to schedule a call with us by filling out the contact form below. 

AMCAS Work and Activities Categories

In the “Experience Type” field of the AMCAS activity section, there are several AMCAS activities categories that you can choose from for each of your activities. Keep scrolling for AMCAS work and activities categories tips and frequently asked questions ! You can also click the hyperlinks for AMCAS work and activities examples for various categories!

AMCAS Work and Activities Categories:

• Artistic Endeavors
• Community Service/Volunteer – Non-Medical/Clinical
• Community Service/Volunteer – Medical/Clinical
• Conferences Attended
• Extracurricular Activities
• Honors/Awards/Recognitions
• Intercollegiate Athletics
• Leadership – Not listed elsewhere
• Military Service
• Paid Employment – Medical/Clinical
• Paid Employment – Non-Medical/Clinical
• Physician Shadowing/Clinical Observation
• Presentations/Posters
• Publications
• Research/Lab
• Social Justice/Advocacy
• Teaching/Tutoring/Teaching Assistant

If you need to add context about the organization or program, then you can write a short description about the organization or activity background. You do not need a description of the organization if you are writing about a "Teaching Assistant" position; medical school admissions committee members know what teaching assistants do. If you are going to write about the organization in your AMCAS work and activities description, then we typically recommend it to be one sentence in length. We strongly recommend 2 sentences MAX.

There is no better way to get your question answered than to email us at [email protected] or contact us below. However, we want to give you some examples of common premed activities and under what category you can list them on the AMCAS. 

Leadership - Not Listed Elsewhere

• Student club officer
• Student activism/government/Greek activities
• Starting a non-profit/student organization/business
• Academic awards (e.g. honor societies, dean's list)
• Certifications and recognitions you received, including non-clinical certifications (e.g. a black belt in a martial arts, placing in a competition, certified as pilot, EMT certification, CPR certification)
• Competitive research position or grant funding which you had to apply for
• Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude, Dean's List

Community Service - Medical/Clinical

• If you are working in close proximity with patients, it is clinical.

Community Service - Non-Medical/Clinical

• If it doesn't fall into the above, you didn't get paid for it, and it isn't a leadership or teaching opportunity, it probably falls here. For example, volunteering for non-profits or charitable organizations, volunteer work you have done at your university.

Teaching/Tutoring/TA

• Activities that fall under these AMCAS work and activities categories not only include formal TA-ing and tutoring, but also mentoring and coaching.
• Use this if you were a keynote speaker, received major recognition, or attended a medical conference related to your interests or research. 
• Typically, we do not suggest students to fill out an activity description that falls under the "conferences attended" category because it's a passive activity. However, if you have fewer than 12 AMCAS activities, we strongly suggest that you think about filling a "conferences attended" description.
• Important Note: If the conference gave you an opportunity to present a poster or presentation, consider labeling it as Presentations/Poster s instead with the name of the conference attended so application screeners can easily find it.

If you’re going to write in bullet-point fashion, make sure to use strong action verbs . Additionally, applicants use the same verbs for multiple bullet points in a row. Don't do this - it does not appeal to the reader.

Here's an example...

Not Ideal Description:

• Helped my research professor in collecting samples for our experiment
• Helped analyze the data for our research paper

Instead, here's a better way to write this description:

• Developed a bioengineered composite scaffold capable of promoting cellular proliferation 
• Analyzed 3,000 samples using STATA to discover that our new scaffolding technique was 30% more efficient than the current standard practice

These tips will help you STAND OUT on your work and activities.

1. You do not need an experience for each activity category.

2. Some AMCAS work and activities categories are stronger than other AMCAS work and activities categories.

Read more details right below in the FAQ section .

Question: Do I need to have an experience for each category?  

Definitely not! You do not have to fill out an activity for each one of the categories. For example, you can have 4 “extracurricular activities” and 0 “artistic endeavors.”

There is a lot of strategy related to choosing categories and activity type, so  contact us if you want help with strategizing and editing help with your AMCAS primary application. We can help you with all parts of the application process! 

Question: Which AMCAS categories are better than others?

You should accurately place your various work and activities experiences in the appropriate categories. However, some activities can be placed in multiple AMCAS categories. And this is where our Cracking Med School Admission s strategy comes in!

Here are common AMCAS category strategies we have recommended to students we help through medical school application editing.

• Many med school applicants will list their school clubs as extracurricular activities. But, when we read their descriptions, they have actually had leadership within the school club! It is better to identify the activity as “leadership” than “extracurricular activities” in almost all cases.
• In more than half of cases, if you LED a community service initiative, we think “leadership” is a better AMCAS category than “Community Service/Volunteer.” However, this is a case by case basis and it depends on whether you have other leadership experiences and other community service activities. Contact us if you have questions on this one.
• Medical school admission committee members will always be more impressed if you presented research at a conference rather than attended a conference. If you did a oral presentation or poster presentation, please label this experience as a “Presentation/Posters” AMCAS category rather than a “Conferences Attended” AMCAS category.
• When premeds serve as Scribes or Medical Assistants, they are working in a clinic (paid or unpaid), speaking with patients, setting up the facilities, conducting vitals, and shadowing physicians all at the same time! In general, you should designate these activities on your AMCAS as Medical/Clinical activities (doesn’t matter if it’s paid or unpaid) and  not the “Shadowing/Clinical Observation.” Medical schools want to see that you are taking an active role in patient care. They do not want you to be merely an observer on the side lines. Don’t get us wrong. Observing is great but having direct clinical exposure is even better!
• This is typically not a strong AMCAS category. Our strongest applicants will not write hobbies on their AMCAS activities section and they will still fill 15 work and activities descriptions. 

The best way to start planning your AMCAS categories and descriptions is to brainstorm using our AMCAS Workbook ! It is totally free. We created it so students can start brainstorming and reflecting on their activities. 

Download the AMCAS workbook directly here or fill out the form right below !

FREE AMCAS Work & Activities Workbook

Use this workbook to write STELLAR AMCAS descriptions. This section is as important as your personal statement.

" * " indicates required fields

Question: What are examples on the AMCAS where a student has written something for the “Other” category?

AMCAS activities section examples for the “Other” category include: 

• Taking care of a sick family members or friend
• Taking care of a sibling
• Other large, personal time commitments

AMCAS Work and Activities Examples

We want to give you samples of common medical school application activities and excellent AMCAS work and activities examples. We want to share our advice on popular premed AMCAS work and activities! Want more examples, download our AMCAS Work and Activities workbook here or fill out the form right above . It is also a brainstorming tool to help you figure out what to write in your activities descriptions! 

Shadowing AMCAS Examples

How to list shadowing on amcas.

• You can list your shadowing on AMCAS either through bullet points or paragraph style.  It depends on the number of different doctors you have shadowed.
• Additionally, you can list shadowing experiences on your AMCAS in 2 different activity descriptions. When do we advise this? If students have 1 medical doctor they’ve shadowed a lot and you want to write about that shadowing experience in detail. OR If you did shadowing abroad vs. shadowing in the United States, then you can have 2 different shadowing AMCAS activities descriptions. 

We always push students to optimize the space by either writing clinical details or insights from their shadowing experiences. 

A common question the Cracking Med School Admissions team receives is, “ How to write about shadowing experiences in the AMCAS work and activities section? ” Read out examples and tips below!

AMCAS Work and Activities Example – Shadowing

STAND OUT: Make Your Activities Descriptions From Good to Great

One thing you can do in  your AMCAS work and activities description is to describe the significance of each shadowing experience or highlight key points. Looking back on the above example, the following sentences definitely stand out on their own:  

• “Observed open heart surgeries” (You’ll never see this in Family Medicine!)
• “Patient consultations…dialysis centers” (Again, unique to nephrology)
• “Attended international infectious disease conferences” (Sounds like an exciting opportunity, and makes one think of the 1995 film Outbreak, starring Dustin Hoffman)

Your AMCAS shadowing experience can give the application reviewer a sense of the broad clinical exposure you have had as a premed student.  For example, this applicant has shadowed in 5 different clinical settings across at least 4 different medical specialties. As evident by the periods of time identified in each shadowing activity, the applicant took advantage of summer breaks and her gap years to shadow various doctors. Her clinical exposure shows her that she was interested in learning more about medicine over a long, sustained period of time. 

Analysis: The applicant has had several shadowing opportunities throughout college, so she decided to mention several of them. The applicant was specific about procedures, types of chief complaints, and patients they encountered in certain shadowing experiences, as much as space would allow. 

The benefit of having a wide range of shadowing experiences is that you can clearly convey that you’ve acquired a multifaceted perspective of healthcare. The best way to do this is to incorporate experiences unique to each specialty in your description.

Other shadowing AMCAS examples:

• OB/GYN: Shadowed live births or fetal ultrasound sessions
• Radiology: Shadowed dark room sessions during an ER shift and learned to differentiate matter based on density on MRI scans.
• Orthopedic Surgery: Shadowed rounds at clubfoot clinic
• Plastic surgery: Shadowed cleft palate repair surgery and follow-up outpatient care clinic.

For more AMCAS activities examples, download our FREE AMCAS work and activities workbook . 

Experience Type: Physician Shadowing/Clinical Observation

Experience Name: Neurosurgery and Nephrology Shadowing

While shadowing residents and faculty neurosurgeons, I observed morning rounds and observed several ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgeries, lumbar spinal fusions, and skull base tumor resections. During one surgery, I was asked to reset a 3D brain mapping device. My requested participation illustrated how treating a patient is not just a one-person job, but a team effort. I also had the opportunity to round with nephrologists at an in-patient hemodialysis clinic. I learned that for patients with chronic kidney disease, maintaining proper phosphorus levels is vital to prevent the weakening of bones and calcification of blood vessels.

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team wanted to show you an AMCAS shadowing description experience example in paragraph form. 

• Give specific procedures and clinical skills you learned – the more specific, the better!  
• You can highlight your favorite patient encounter or procedure

Analysis: This applicant is very interested in neurosurgery and neurology. Therefore, he focused one clinical experience story on a neurosurgery case he witnessed. Additionally, this student shows strong clinical acumen, as he discussed the phosphorus levels with dialysis patients. The more insights you can bring about clinical medicine, the better! But remember, you might get asked about these in your medical school interview . 

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Amcas research experience examples, amcas work and activities – research description tips.

Many med school applicants will have research experience as one of their AMCAS extracurricular experiences. However, the AMCAS research experience entries are the most common fields in which applicants FAIL TO EFFECTIVELY SELL THEMSELVES. We have met students who have invested three years into a research lab, but failed to effectively convey their research experiences. And we’ve coached them through our application advising services to make sure their AMCAS activities help them stand out.

In your AMCAS research activities description, you should highlight the following elements:

• Your specific research study question and goals. Oftentimes, people make the mistake and talk too much about their overall labs’ missions and not enough about their independent research project’s goals.
• What YOU did; many students spend too much space talking about what the lab does in general.
• Skills you applied and learned. This can include: basic research techniques gained; how to write IRB approval applications; grant writing; patient recruitment into clinical studies; research design; analysis; and special programming skills like R and STATA.
• Publication & presentation mentions (although you should also allocate an entire AMCAS experience  for “publications” and another AMCAS experience dedicated to “posters & presentations.”
• How you independently led the research project, and what specific parts of the project.
• Highlight your critical thinking.
• Impact and transformative nature of your research project – what impact will your research have in medicine?

Did you create a research project of your own? Did you mentor somebody in your lab? Make sure to write about these teaching experiences because they show leadership and a propensity to clearly communicate! 

AMCAS Work and Activities Research Example

Here’s a basic science AMCAS research experience example.

Experience Type: Research/Lab

Experience Name: Mycoplasmology Lab Research Assistant

I investigated the proteomic differences of Mycoplasma iowae cells, a pathogen associated with decreased hatchability and leg abnormalities in poultry, grown in aspartic acid and asparagine. I performed multiple SDS-PAGE gels, allowing for comparison of proteins present or absent in whole cell lysate. Additional observations were measured by staining cellular DNA with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and calculating the aspect ratios of the cell bodies. Ultimately, I proposed a potential mechanism promoting intracellular survivability and learned to refine my techniques in each subsequent experiment in order to attain reputable results.

Publication: Co-author, Veterinary Microbiology Journal.

• We have a clear idea about the research topic and research project from this medical school research applicant.
• Give specific procedures you learned – the more specific, the better!  
• There was space to highlight the publication

Analysis: We get a good sense that this applicant played a key role in conducting this independent research. Her actions are technical, but the reader still understands the overall topic and her involvement. Added bonus was the publication addition! Not all students will have a publication, and that is okay. Moreover, some students with a publication may not have space. If you have the space, you should strive to put a line about your publications or posters, even if you have a separate AMCAS activity designated for  all your publications, posters, and oral presentations. Dr. Mediratta and Dr. Rizal work with a handful of students each year on their AMCAS applications. Check out our medical school application packages and contact us if you are interested in working with us! 

FAQ: How much of my research experience has to be technical jargon?

You should be able to describe key points of your research, i.e. relevant information, utilized techniques and procedures, etc. in your activity. (Keep in mind that you may have to elaborate on your research during the interview). However, you need to write your description geared towards an individual who does not have a science background and knowledge about your field of study. Additionally, our Cracking Med School Admissions team thinks it’s very important to also describe what you learned from this research project. You can add personal reflections and insights.

Let’s read another AMCAS research example, but this time, we’ll read an excellent description from a student who was in a clinical research role, involved with several research studies.

Experience Name: Breast Cancer Clinical Research at UCLA

At the Breast Cancer Clinic at UCLA, I investigated the barriers to care for breast cancer patients and  coordinated 4 clinical trials. In one of my main studies, I analyzed the oncology registry to assess the utility of ultrasound monitoring following chemotherapy compared to MRI monitoring. I found that ultrasound and MRI were equally effective in distinguishing chemotherapy response. Our work will allow for most cost-effective techniques for oncology management. Throughout my career, I aspire to conduct more research and clinical trials to decrease the costs and barriers to care for oncology patients.

Presentation: 1st author, American Cancer Society Conference

• We have a clear idea about the research topic and research project from this medical school research applicant. The studies were communicated clearly and concisely.
• The applicant told us that she was involved in multiple studies.
• Based on how she talked about a specific project, we understand that the applicant  led at least one of the research projects. And because she did a good job, the reader may infer that she was heavily involved in the 3 other research projects. 
• The reader understands the impact of her work.
• The reader understands the applicant’s career aspirations to improve oncology care and to decrease the overall barriers to care. 

Analysis: Similar to the example above, we also get a good sense that this applicant played a key role in conducting this independent research. This applicant did not have a publication, but she did have a poster, which she mentioned at the end of the activity description. Have questions about YOUR AMCAS research descriptions? Contact Dr. Mediratta and Dr. Rizal!

FAQ: What if I have multiple research projects and studies within the same lab – do I need to talk about all research studies?

Typically, there is not enough room in the 700-character AMCAS activity description to write about  all your research studies. You can mention that you were involved in a number of studies, similar to the clinical research AMCAS description above. We typically advise students who work with us through our Application Packages to include more details about one of the studies. It is important to show the admissions committee that you led a project, and weren’t just collecting data for numerous projects. They want to see that you were critically involved in the research as well as problem-solving through the research project.

FAQ: What if I don’t have posters and presentations to include?

That’s okay! A majority of students do not have posters and publications for their research projects! However, you can still write an EXCELLENT activities descriptions that highlight your strong research work. If there is any extra space, you can discuss what you learned about the research process.

The next AMCAS research experience example is a more creative research example, and the student also selected this as a most meaningful activity.

Insights to learn from this research AMCAS work activity example: 

From the above experience, note how the research study is limited to one brief – yet extremely descriptive – sentence. Then, the applicant highlighted the laboratory skills & research techniques he gained. As a reader, we can envision this applicant dissecting tissue samples in the lab! 

Second, the applicant’s research example in the AMCAS Work and Activities emphasized two points:

• Learning from his mistakes (“I never wasted my failures”)
• Establishing a pristine work ethic (“scrubbed flasks, washed counters, keeping my mind busy to rub away regrets, rinse thoughts, and repeat…”) and discipline “methodical discipline, meticulous organization…”

Third, look at how the most meaningful experience remarks description complements the experience description. The individual gave additional details that showed impactful experiences during his research journey. The most meaningful experience remarks did not repeat the AMCAS activity experience description. Instead, the applicant told a story about a time when he failed and how the procedure (and the research experience overall) helped him become more disciplined and resilient in research.  The reader learns about the reader’s resilience, critical thinking abilities, and problem solving capabilities. This will help the applicant stand out among thousands of applications!

Another common type of research premedical students write on their AMCAS work and activities section is public health research. Here, we’ll include an AMCAS work and activities example in which a student conducted qualitative public health research.

Experience Name:  Barriers to Immunization in Multi-ethnic parents in Hawaii

For my senior thesis, I conducted a study to explore the barriers to immunizations in parents whose children were not immunized by age 2. I recruited participants and organized 13 focus groups. I learned how to conduct qualitative research, including: creating a standardized questionnaire; coding participant; and analyzing themes from responses. The research found that parental issues like substance abuse, lack of motivation, and limited mobility were core themes as to why children were not immunized. In medical school, I want to continue conducting public health research that understands barriers to preventive care and work with communities to combat challenges.

• We understand in detail what the applicant did for the research project.
• The applicant discusses what the type of research and healthcare issues she wants to pursue in medical school.
• Based on how she talked about a specific project, we understand that the applicant  led this qualitative research project.

Analysis: The applicant did a good job communicating the various steps she did for the research project. We love how she gave the research results and linked them to her desire to improve challenges to preventive care. Compared to the research examples above, this person did not have a presentation or publication, and that’s okay! The applicant used the space effectively in order to walk the reader through details of the research. Have questions about YOUR AMCAS research descriptions? Contact Dr. Mediratta and Dr. Rizal!

AMCAS Clinical and Medical Activities

Amcas work and activities – medical / clinical experience description tips.

Having medical / clinical experiences is a must! There are some medical schools that calculate all your clinical hours and then reject applicants who don’t have enough clinical hours. If you have questions about whether you have enough clinical hours, definitely contact us below!

But, how do you stand out on your medical / clinical AMCAS work and activities descriptions? 

• Include a patient study
• Show your involvement in a person’s medical care
• Discuss the impact you had on an individual’s health
• Give your reflections about taking care of patients. What did you learn about clinical medicine and being a medical doctor? How will you apply what you learned to your medical career?

AMCAS Work and Activities Examples – Medical Experiences

Let’s take a look at different but strong ways to write about your clinical and medical experiences on your AMCAS work and activities section. 

Experience Type: Paid Employment – Medical / Clinical

Experience Name: Dermatology Medical Assistant

I aided dermatologist Dr. Manche in skin cancer removal surgeries. I conducted patient interviews to document medical histories in the “History of Present Illness” (HPI) format. Presenting cases to Dr. Manche using HPI format readies me for future presentations to attending physicians. One 46-year-old patient with a history of prolonged sun exposure presented to our clinic with a growing lesion on their arm. We diagnosed them with melanoma, necessitating immediate surgery. Clarifying our treatment plan, gathering patients’ feedback, and addressing questions strengthened my patient rapport. These experiences are pivotal in shaping me into a physician with strong communication abilities.

• Add a patient story.
• Use medical terminology, when appropriate.
• Show that you were directly involved with patient care.

Insights learned from the Clinical Activity:  

Many medical school applicants are Medical Assistants and Medical Scribes, so we thought this would be a great AMCAS activity description to include! We loved how the student used the term “History of Present Illness” and even gave an example of a brief HPI of a patient. This will show the medical school admissions committee that he has tons of clinical experience and he is functioning at the level of a medical school clinical student! Additionally, we liked this activity description because it showed that the applicant was directly involved in patient care. 

Dr. Mediratta and Dr. Rizal work with a handful of students each year on their AMCAS applications. Check out our medical school application packages and contact us if you are interested in working with us! 

Experience Type: Community Service / Volunteer – Medical / Clinical

Experience Name: President of Stanford Blood Donation Drives

As President, I organized 4 blood drives at Stanford, resulting in 180 pints donated, helping 540 patients. At the drives, I educate donors about the importance of blood donations and closely monitor patients after donations. Once, I was the first to notice a donor who was at risk of fainting on his bike ride home due to his pale complexion. I immediately called our on-staff physician and we continued to monitor the donor until he felt better.

I partnered with other universities to plan blood drives around our community. I created video educational modules to train other students about blood donations. As a physician, I will use my leadership skills to organize health fairs in my community.

• Include any leadership or initiative you took in somebody’s medical care.
• Add #’s and quantitative data when applicable. Frequent #’s include the number of patients you met and the number of health events you organized.
• Include any connection to what you want to do in the future as a physician.

This clinical activity is unique because it showed a premedical student’s leadership in a medical setting. It’s great that the student enumerated the number of blood drives she organized. Since she went to a strong undergrad institution, it’s great that she squeezed in her University’s name (Stanford). We loved how this student discussed her ambitious desire to make a greater impact beyond her university. By saying that she worked with other schools to plan blood drives in the community, we saw this applicant’s commitment to improving the health or her community. Finally, the applicant emphasized leadership by discussing how she was the President, organizing events at school and in the community, and creating video modules. She also stated that she wanted to be a physician leader at the end. This applicant used the space efficiently!

Dr. Mediratta and Dr. Rizal can help you stand out as a leader, even through your clinical experiences! Check out our medical school application packages and contact us if you are interested in working with us! 

• Include your impact and initiatives you led. This will help the reader understand your leadership. 
• Relate the activity to what you learned or how this activity relates to what you will do in your career. Why was this an important life experience? 

For more AMCAS activities volunteering examples, download our free AMCAS work and activities workbook .

AMCAS Community Service and Volunteer Examples

Amcas work and activities – community service & volunteer experience description tips.

Many premeds have volunteered in both clinical and non-clinical settings. To differentiate yourself, you need to write about your experiences with insight and demonstrate passion. Therefore, while it is important to describe your responsibilities, the bulk of your description should focus on the impact you had and the lessons you learned. Furthermore, remember that medical schools want to recruit mature students with rich life experiences. Ultimately, being a doctor is about connecting with patients on a human level, so take advantage of discussing your volunteer experiences and describe what you learned about working with people. 

AMCAS Work and Activities Examples – Volunteer Experiences

Experience Type: Community Service / Volunteer – Non-medical/clinical

Experience Name: Volunteer head basketball coach for at-risk and low-income middle schoolers through Coaching Corps

As a volunteer coach, I ran practices and games. I became a dependable mentor for kids who lacked a consistent figure in their lives. Most recently, I created a virtual basketball class that kept 15 kids across Orange Unified School District physically engaged throughout the pandemic. Working with kids from low-income communities also illustrated the need to increase health education. In one instance, I explained basic preventative health strategies, the importance of vaccines, and what a head injury is to Zane, an 8th grader who shared my teachings with his family. As a physician, I will push policies that open more free clinics and increase public school funding for health education.

• Add a story if you can – especially if you write in paragraph form. 
• Relate the activity to what you learned or how this activity relates to what you will do in your career. What insights did you gain that will help you in your future career as a physician? Why was this an important life experience? 

Insights learned from the Volunteer Activity:  

We gain a sense of compassion and commitment to underserved communities through this applicant’s activity description. It was great that this applicant even included a story of Zane. The applicant goes above and beyond  in teaching his team about preventative health strategies. This shows the applicant’s dedication to health education. Finally, we love how this individual has a vision to improve public schools and healthcare for low-income communities. 

Frequently Asked Questions about AMCAS Volunteering and Community Service

Here are some commonly asked questions about AMCAS volunteering. Read more AMCAS tips and AMCAS FAQs at the end of this blog post!

Typically, we love students to have at least 50 hours from an activity in order to include it as one of the 15 AMCAS activity descriptions. However, if a community service or volunteering project was particularly meaningful, put it in as 1 of your 15 AMCAS activities descriptions! The quality and meaning matter more than the number of hours. 

If you include these smaller-length community service activities, the reader can still learn a lot about you! Stick to the AMCAS work and activities tips we've been preaching throughout this blog post.

• Include stories
• Tell the reader what you gained from the experience

We typically recommend students to combine their smaller volunteer activities into a single AMCAS activity description. Discuss any commonality in your volunteer activities if there is one. For example, students we've worked with through our medical school application packages group their volunteering by writing it was all part of a service fraternity / sorority. Or, some students we've worked with have a "problem they are trying to solve" through their volunteering, such as advocacy, working with individuals with disabilities, or environmentalism. You can still highlight one volunteer activity by adding details, an example, or a story.

AMCAS does not verify your volunteer hours or any of your other hours in any description. There is an honor system though. So, you should put the accurate number of hours you volunteered. Don't stress if it's 161 hours versus 162. Make your best and most accurate estimate of volunteer hours. 

It is also very rare for medical school admissions committees to call individuals you listed as "contact" in your various activities. However, we have heard about rare instances every few years when admission committee members will call individuals on applicant's AMCAS. How do we know this? Because students whom we've done mock interviews with have told us that their medical school interviewer contacted somebody on their AMCAS contact information. 

Any volunteering experience where you interacted with patients or volunteered in a medical or clinical setting counts as clinical volunteering on the AMCAS. These should be unpaid. These including experiences with patients not in physical hospitals and clinics, such as volunteering in the community.

Here are a list of common clinical volunteering we see students list on the AMCAS:

• COVID clinic volunteer
• Mobile health clinical volunteer
• Free clinic volunteer
• Volunteer at a hospital or medical clinic
• Tutoring sick pediatric patients at a Children's Hospital
• Scribing (unpaid)
• Medical assistant (unpaid)
• EMT (unpaid)
• Translator at a clinic
• Crisis Text Line or other Crisis Lines

AMCAS Paid Employment Examples

Many premeds have full-time and part-time work experiences, including tutoring and summer jobs. Some applicants think that these non-clinical work experiences are not relevant, but they definitely are! Additionally, working a job during the school year shows medical school admissions committees that you can handle several responsibilities at a time. 

There are two Paid Employment categories on the AMCAS: 1) Paid Employment. – Medical / Clinical and 2) Paid Employment – Non-Medical / Clinical

Common Paid Employment Activities By Previous Applicants:

• Medical Assistant
• EKG or Medical Procedure Tech

Non-Clinical

• Summer internships, including research, consulting, technology companies
• Full-time jobs, including working for a consulting firm or technology company
• Tutoring (usually part-time)
• Teaching in a classroom
• Restaurant – waitressing or manager
• Research Coordinator or Research Technician

 AMCAS Work and Activities – Paid Employment Description Tips

Some medical school applicants think that they should not write about non-medical jobs they held, especially non-medical part-time jobs. WRONG!  We strongly encourage applicants to include AMCAS activities descriptions for non medical/clinical paid employment. Think your Starbucks barista job is not related to clinical medicine? WRONG! You definitely have learned customer service skills. 

Dr. Rizal wrote an article for the U.S. News that shows how students can leverage their non-clinical experiences:  How to Make Premed Non-Clinical Experiences Relevant to Medicine

We strongly encourage students to link their non-clinical experiences with medicine in their AMCAS descriptions. 

AMCAS Work and Activities Examples – Paid Employment

Analysis of AMCAS Activity Description:

This applicant did a great job in balancing what she did and what she learned. She was able to include a story, and we can visualize the applicant in this story.

We see this student in action! She even says that she performed CPR! We see that this student can apply her theoretical medical training in acute, life-saving settings. 

• If you are discussing a clinical experience, use the same tips from the clinical volunteering experiences that we have already discuss. Bring in skills and procedures that you learned.
• You can write about a lot of aspects of your job. However, highlight the ones that were most impactful to your personal growth and the most impactful to the organization / people you were serving. Additionally, highlight your leadership and initiative in your job. 

Category: Paid Employment

Starbucks Barista – August 2017 – May 2018

• Responsible for training new employees, customer service, and product ordering.
• Worked 20 hours per week while attending school full-time

Mayor’s Office for the City of Memphis – Summer 2018

• Worked at the Mayor’s Office for the City of Memphis.
• Responsible for organizing community events for underserved communities in Memphis.
• Worked on projects related to decreasing health disparities.
• Worked 40 hours per week while taking 1 summer class

Grocery Store Worker – August 2018 – May 2020

• Worked as a cashier for a major grocery store chain.
• Worked 30 hours per week while attending school full-time

Tip: As you can see in this AMCAS activity description, the applicant combined 3 jobs. We suggest appilcants do this when you have more than 15 activities but you want to include all your non-clinical jobs. Remember, non-medical jobs show a lot about a student’s character related to teamwork, hard work, grit, and customer service. Additionally, it can show a person’s commitment to specific populations like immigrants or underserved communities. By combining multiple jobs into one activity, you are able to save 2 spaces in the Work/Activities section. But, you are still able to show that you have significant work experience and have the ability to juggle a job and school. Contact us if you have questions about application strategy !

AMCAS Work and Activities - Publications

Amcas work and activities – publication description tips.

If you do not have a publication, do not worry! You can still get into medical school!

If you do have a publication, kudos to you! It will certainly help increase the strength of your medical school application. It is important to put all your publications in the AMCAS work and activities section. 

Shorten the author list. You do not need to list all the authors in the paper. Because there are very few characters, we advise students to shorten their AMCAS publication description by not listing all the authors.

The typical format we recommend for listing publications on your AMCAS is the following: What author order (1st author among 3 co-authors), Article title, Journal name, Year publication. PMID # so someone can find your abstract on PubMed.

For example: “1st of 6 authors, Increasing Vaccination Access in Middle-Income Countries, Journal of Global Health, 2021. PMID #######.”

If you need to shorten further, you could remove the title, but definitely keep the PMID number. 

• While we typically recommend all your journal publications be listed as bullet points in one activity, there are certain circumstances where you can split your publications into different AMCAS experience entries. For example, let’s say you have multiple publications in two broad topics (health economics & OB/GYN). You might want to put one AMCAS experience entry for your publications in health economics and one AMCAS experience entry for your OB/GYN publications.
• What did you learn about the publication process? 
• What motivated you to study this topic (these topics)? 
• How is this research related to your career?

AMCAS Work and Activities Example – Publications

To maintain privacy and confidentiality, we did not want to use the actual publication from our advisee’s application for an example. The AMCAS publication example below emulates a strong AMCAS publication description.  

1st of 6 authors, Increasing Vaccination Access in Middle-Income Countries, Journal of Global Health, 2021. PMID #######.

I was inspired to conduct research on vaccination access because I learned during my “Vaccines” seminar at Princeton that successful vaccination campaigns required an interdisciplinary effort among pharmaceutical companies, public health officials, health policymakers, & physicians. I aim to continue doing research on access to preventative health services in my future career. 

As we mentioned in our AMCAS publication description tips above, you should include utilize any extra space for any insights about your motivations and/or lessons learned. 

In this AMCAS publication example, the application reader learns that this individual is passionate about vaccinations and conducted a senior thesis in college. The admissions committee members or med school interviewer may be prompted to ask you about your senior thesis, which is great! The application reader also learns that the person understands the various stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem. 

AMCAS Work and Activities - Posters & Presentations

 amcas work and activities – poster and presentation description tips.

The same tips and strategies apply for posters & presentations as what we discussed in the AMCAS publication description tips above. 

First off, what is considered a presentation? Typically, presentations include: 1) poster presentations and 2) oral presentations / podium presentations.

In poster presentation sessions, there is a room full of individuals who each showcase a poster about his or her research. In oral presentations at conferences, a conference participant does a podium presentation in front of a room and presents on his or her research topic. After the podium presentation, the presenter answers questions from the audience. Oral presentations do not include presentations you make for a college class or a school club. You can include university-wide research symposiums for undergraduate students. 

Some people include lectures or talks at large conferences. For example, we had one mentee present to the World Health Organization!

How do you write posters and presentations? 

Because there are very few characters, we advise students to shorten their AMCAS poster presentation description by not listing all the authors.

The typical format we recommend for listing publications on your AMCAS is the following: What author order (1st author among 3 co-authors), Poster or presentation title, Conference you presented at, Year. 

For example: “1st of 6 authors, Increasing Vaccination Access in Middle-Income Countries, United for Sight Global Health & Innovation Conference, 2021.

If you need to shorten it further, you could shorten the name of the conference as long as it will still be recognizable. 

Lastly, if your presentation relates to one of your activities, you can include the poster or presentation as part of another activity description.

Here is an example of how an application included a presentation at the World Health Organization: 

AMCAS Work and Activities Example – Posters & Presentations

To maintain privacy and confidentiality, we did not want to use the actual presentation from our advisee’s application for an example. The AMCAS presentation example below emulates a strong AMCAS poster and presentation description.  

1st of 6 authors, Increasing Vaccination Access in Middle-Income Countries, Yale Global Health Symposium, Poster Presentation, Connecticut, 2021.

2nd of 5 authors, Epidemiology of Hepatitis B, Infectious Disease Conference, Oral Presentation, India, 2020.

I presented my senior thesis work on vaccination access and policy at conferences. I shared ideas to improve vaccination campaigns with global health leaders at these conferences. I learned that partnerships with local NGOs and health centers are key for success. I will continue doing research on access to preventative health services in my future career. 

Analysis of the AMCAS Poster & Presentation Example:

Notice that we still have enough space after the 2 poster presentations. Therefore, you can add more context about why these topics 

Alternatively, students discuss what they learned through presenting. These can be presentation techniques or discussions they had with other individuals at the conference!

• We recommend all your posters and oral presentations be listed as bullet points in one AMCAS activity.
• What did you learn about the presenting your research? 

AMCAS Work and Activities – Poster and Presentation Description FAQs

Question: what if i did a virtual presentation during the covid-19 pandemic .

Poster presentations and oral presentations have been virtual throughout the COVID pandemic. You should definitely include those in your Work and Activities section! 

Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has advised students in which we broadened the definition of presentations. Some of our students have given presentations for City Councils, State Legislatures, and international bodies like the World Health Organization. We typically recommend that they include these accomplishments under the AMCAS Posters and Presentations category. 

Question: What if my presentation is not in the medical field? 

Include your non-medical presentation in your AMCAS activities! We typically recommend med school applicants to include presentations in non-medical fields. We have had students include presentations at poetry readings and history conferences on their AMCAS applications!

 AMCAS Work and Activities – Conferences Attended Tips

Almost all students will not add a “conferences attended” category description in their AMCAS work and activities section. In general, we do think this is a weaker category to write in your AMCAS activities section. 

So, when is it valid to write a “conferences attended” activities description? 

Our Cracking Med School Admissions advisors think that students should put a conferences description attended if: 

• The conference is relevant to your interest
• Chatted with physicians and other healthcare professionals
• Able to articulate what you learned and gained from the conference
• You have less than 10 activities descriptions and need more activities (not ideal that this is the situation though)

AMCAS Work and Activities Example – Conferences Attended

With an interest in surgery, I attended the 2023 International Conference on Surgical Cancer Care in Boston, Massachusetts. Here, I was able to speak and learn from Surgical Oncologists. For example, I spoke to Dr. Patel about his work in pioneering the techniques of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy and Cytoreductive Surgery throughout Indonesia. I learned about this procedure and the financial barriers indigent cancer patients in Indonesia encounter. This opportunity showed me that complex care in Surgical Oncology is multifactorial. As a fierce advocate for my future patients, I will be cognizant of factors, such as healthcare disparities, that my patients may be facing.

AMCAS Work and Activities - Honors, Awards, and Recognitions

 amcas work and activities – honors, awards, and recognitions.

Believe it or not, many students forget to include awards and honors in their AMCAS activities section!

Do not forget any awards from school, community service, or any other organization that has recognized your awesomeness!

Awards and honors you should include:

• National or international awards and recognitions
• Post-graduate Fellowships and Scholarships like the Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, and Gates
• Awards and recognitions from professional societies
• Awards and recognitions from non-profit organizations
• Non-academic awards from school organizations
• Academic awards from your university. Don’t forget the Dean’s List!
• Scholarships from your university
• Special academic recognitions from your university
• Awards received for your research or presentations at research symposiums & conferences

How to list awards on AMCAS

Awards are usually written in a list format. A good format is 1 honor or award per line. 

If you have multiple awards, choose one award organization to write for the contact information. For example, if you have many academic awards, you can put your Major’s Department Chair or your School Registrar’s Office.

STAND OUT: Tips for Optimizing Your Awards AMCAS Description

If students only have 1 or 2 awards, we suggest that you utilize the space to discuss an aspect of your background related to your award.

For example, if you received a community service award, then you can discuss a community service project that you enjoyed. Make sure it doesn’t duplicate information in other activities that you have discussed in your AMCAS activities section. 

As another example, if you receive an academic award from your major, you can discuss your favorite class or your honors thesis. 

AMCAS Work and Activities Example – Honors/Awards/Recognitions

Fulbright Scholarship – Selected as 1 of 10 Fulbright Scholars for the Philippines 2018-2019

Cum Laude – Princeton University

Global Scholar Award – Philippines National Cancer Institute

Dean’s List (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) – Princeton University

I enjoyed the small, discussion classes at Princeton. My favorite classes were the graduate-level classes in the Princeton School of Public & International Affairs. In one seminar, we discussed the pros and cons of Thailand’s approach to HIV prophylaxis education among sex workers. I will continue pursuing health public policy and advocacy as a physician. 

Insights to learn from this Conferences Attended AMCAS Activities description: 

Your conferences attended AMCAS experience can give the application reviewer the impression that you are a lifelong learner. These activities show that she has made an effort to continue her education in her field of research and reflect on the research that she has conducted. While attending conferences are worthwhile and provide students with the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of topics, we want to stress that solely attending a conference is not as strong as presenting at a conference .

AMCAS Work and Activities - Leadership

 amcas work and activities -leadership activity description tips.

Including impactful leadership experiences in your application can be beneficial for several reasons:

• Demonstrates that you possess qualities that are highly valued in medicine, such as initiative, teamwork, consistency and communication skills. Exemplifying these qualities show medical school admissions committees that you are ready to take on the challenges of a career in medicine.
• Sets you apart. Engaging in leadership activities can help set you apart from applicants who have similar academic achievements. For example, describing an experience in which you have served a community that is important to you can demonstrate that you are committed to making a positive impact in a specific niche of medicine. Ultimately, highlighting the impact that you have made and will continue to make as a future physician.
• Provides examples of your ability to overcome challenges. Leading a multi-faceted healthcare team in the future will be challenging. Admissions committees look for applicants that can overcome obstacles and solve problems. Describing how you adapted to certain circumstances and unexpected situations through examples can attest that you have what it takes to be a successful healthcare leader. These qualities are essential for success in medical school and in your career as a physician.

AMCAS Work and Activities Leadership Example

In the AMCAS example description below, the applicant wrote about starting a non-profit. 

Insights to learn from this Leadership not listed elsewhere AMCAS description: 

From the above experience, note that the applicant describes a unique leadership experience that she is passionate about. Through this description, the application reviewer gains insight into the student’s impact, initiative ability and teamwork skills. Moreover, the applicant shows the admissions committee that she would be an asset to the student body because she is passionate about a specific niche in medicine and demonstrates that she is committed to making a positive impact on others.

• Tell a story! Work on going one step further in your reflections; provide concrete examples to showcase your potential.
• Emphasize your impact. Did you lead a team in a ground-breaking research project? Did you organize a community health fair to educate underserved patient populations that are often overlooked?

Demonstrate your consistency. Committing to your leadership experience for a long period time can demonstrate your passion and provides you with the opportunity to showcase admissions committees that you can make a sustained impact as a leader.

Leadership Not Listed Elsewhere AMCAS Frequently Asked Questions

Question: how many hours for leadership amcas work and activities, question: how to list leadership experience on amcas.

When listing hours for a leadership position on AMCAS you must be honest. Include all hours spent preparing, training, and working in your leadership experience. Estimate the “Hours Per Week” and multiply it by the “Weeks per Year” spent in this position to get the total number of hours.

Question: How to put hours for leadership position on the AMCAS?

One mistake applicants make is to not include time they are planning activities. Make sure to include all the time you invest in planning and organizing the organization (or events)! As we said in the first FAQ above, there is no minimum or maximum number of hours. 

AMCAS Work and Activities - Extracurricular Activity

 amcas work and activities -extracurricular activity description tips, question: what counts as an extracurricular activity .

One common mistake that we mentioned in the “ AMCAS Categories ” section above is that students categorize leadership or community service as an extra-curricular activity. It is not wrong to do this, but it is not ideal because you are not selling yourself as well as you can.

Activities that we typically advise to label as an “Extracurricular Activity” is involvement in a school club without a leadership position. 

• Member of a fraternity or sorority
• Member of a pre-professional club
• Member of a ethnic or diversity club

AMCAS Extracurricular Activities Example

Experience Type: Extracurricular Activities                                     Dates: 02/2018 – 06/2022

Experience Name: Alpha Chi Omega sorority member

Contact Name & Title: B. Evans

Organization Name: Alpha Chi Omega sorority member

In college, I was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. The sorority was a great way for me to make a close group of friends in my large university. We were involved in various community volunteering project, including the Garden Club, where we taught gardening to inner-city elementary school students in Chicago. After a local organization donated several plant seeds, we worked with students to growing herbs that they could sell in their neighborhoods. This project taught students about budgeting, space parameters, and the conditions needed for seed germination. I realize that as a physician, I have the power to be a resourceful to improve the health of my local community.

• Even though you don’t hold an official leadership position in an activity you would label as an AMCAS Extracurricular Activities, you can still include a story and specific examples.

Analysis of AMCAS Extracurricular Activity description:

We love how the student talked about a specific volunteer project she did with her sorority. From the single entry above, note that the applicant describes a singular, impactful experience from an extracurricular activity he was involved in for two years.

She also tied it to her interest in working with the community, especially urban communities, by saying she taught in an “inner-city” school. Through this description, the application reviewer gains insight into the value the applicant brings to his community and how insightful he is.

Moreover, the applicant shows that he learned important problem-solving skills which he will utilize both in medical school and as a physician.

Finally, we loved the medical school applicant’s integration with her reflections about being a physician in the last sentence.

AMCAS Work and Activities - Intercollegiate Athletics

 amcas work and activities – intercollegiate athletics description tips.

Intercollegiate athletics are a unique part of the college experience that can have a significant impact on undergraduate students both during and after their college years. Whether participating in sports as an athlete, coach, or fan, collegiate athletics offers students the opportunity to develop interpersonal and leadership skills.

Involvement in intercollegiate athletics can be a valuable addition to your AMCAS application. Participation in sports can demonstrate your ability to balance academic and extracurricular commitments, as well as your dedication to teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Additionally, being a student-athlete often involves time management skills, which can be beneficial in medical school and as a physician. You may also have developed leadership skills as a captain or team member, and these experiences can provide unique examples for your personal statement or interview responses. Overall, highlighting your involvement in intercollegiate athletics can showcase your well-roundedness and ability to excel in multiple areas of your life.

AMCAS Work and Activities Example – Intercollegiate Athletics

Experience Type: Intercollegiate Athletics                                            Dates: 08/2019 – 06/2021

Experience Name: Arizona State University Women’s Tennis

Contact Name & Title: A. Smith

Organization Name: Arizona State University

Tennis has always played an influential role in my life. This sport serves as my primary source of stress relief. As a former team member of ASU’s Women’s Tennis team, I have the ability to remain focused for an extended amount of time and have learned to employ good sportsmanship and discipline in pertinent life skills. I expect to demonstrate these skills as a physician by working hard, upholding the values of the Hippocratic Oath and overcoming adversity and failures. Additionally, tennis will provide me with an outlet in the face of overwhelming responsibilities as a physician.

• Discuss important skills you gained through collegiate sports: teamwork, leadership, communication, and resiliency. 
• Tie to a career in medicine.

Insights to learn from this AMCAS work activity example:

When deciding whether to label your athletics experience as an “Intercollegiate Athletics Experience” or as an “Extracurricular Activity,” note that intercollegiate athletics is conducted between colleges. If you were part of an intramural sports team that was not conducted between colleges, consider listing your involvement as an “Extracurricular Activity.” In addition, although this applicant could have described her athletic skill in detail, she focuses on the valuable non-athletic skills that she can utilize both in medical school, and as a physician. Through involvement in Intercollegiate Athletics, the application reviewer gains insight into the applicant’s dedication and future outlet to recharge as a medical student.

AMCAS Work and Activities - Artistic Endeavors

 amcas work and activities – artistic endeavors.

It can be beneficial to include an artistic endeavor on your AMCAS application because it has the potential to set you apart from others. Although an artistic endeavor will not help you overcome a low science GPA, you can demonstrate that this endeavor will serve as an outlet for stress in the face of overwhelming responsibilities as a medical student.

AMCAS Work and Activities Example – Artistic Endeavors

• Don’t be afraid to put thousands of hours and a long time range (as you can see from the above AMCAS description example). Many people have played a musical instrument or danced since they were younger, and continued it during college! 
• Connect your artistic endeavor with medicine or medical school if you can.

From the above experience, note that the applicant describes an impactful artistic endeavor she has been involved in for nearly a decade. Through this description, the application reviewer gains insight into the applicant’s diversity and dedication. Moreover, the applicant shows the admissions committee that she would be an asset to the incoming class because she has a unique perspective that encourages her humanitarianism .

Question: Can I include activities before college?

In general, we advise our application package students to only include college experiences and gap year experiences. The exception to that is if an individual has been involved in a college experience / gap year experience that he or she started before college. Then, you can add a long time horizon. For example, the harmonium player in the Artistic Endeavor example above played the harmonium for 9 years and even anticipates playing the harmonium during the application cycle! 

AMCAS Work and Activities - Hobbies

 amcas work and activities – hobbies.

Most medical school applicants make the mistake that they should look “well-rounded” and include an activity for each category. That is incorrect. Yes, medical schools want a “diverse” student body class — but that does not mean they are trying to recruit students with different hobbies from one another. That is not the medical school admissions committee’s priority; adcoms want to recruit diverse student bodies in which students have a wide range of passions and talents to improve healthcare. As we stated in the “ AMCAS categories ” section, there are some categories that are stronger than others. The strongest applicants to medical schools have 15 or more activities that are not classified as “Hobbies.”

Again, do not feel like you have to include a hobbies in your AMCAS activities section. 

AMCAS Work and Activities Example – Hobbies

• Similar to artistic endeavors, don’t feel bad if you have 1000+ hours dedicated to a hobby. 

From the above experience, note that the applicant describes a hobby she has been involved in for nearly a decade. Through this description, the application reviewer gains insight into the student’s discipline and determination. Moreover, the applicant shows medical school admissions committees that she would be an asset to the student body because she has a strong coping mechanism to rely on when faced with difficulties.

AMCAS Work and Activities - Military Service

 amcas work and activities – military service description tips.

Thank you for your military service! We commend you.

Some medical school applicants think that military service or ROTC involvement should not be included in their AMCAS 15 activities section. We disagree.

Involvement in military service can be a compelling addition to your AMCAS application. Military service can demonstrate your commitment to serving others, as well as your ability to handle high-pressure situations, adapt to challenging circumstances, and work collaboratively with diverse groups of people. Additionally, military service can provide unique experiences that may have helped shape your character, values, and perspective on the world. Your military background may also be relevant to certain medical specialties, such as emergency medicine or psychiatry, where understanding and working with individuals who have experienced trauma or stress is critical. Overall, highlighting your involvement in military service can demonstrate your leadership, resilience, and dedication to serving others, making you a strong candidate for medical school and the medical profession.

AMCAS Work and Activities Example – Military Service

Experience Type: Military Service                                            Dates: 02/2014 – 06/2016

Experience Name: Combat Medic Specialist

Contact Name & Title: J. Bell

Organization Name: United States Army

As a Combat Medic Specialist, I administered emergency medical care to both soldiers in combat and civilians in humanitarian situations. I have been trained, meticulously, on starting IVs, administering advanced drugs and caring for patients with conditions, such as tension pneumothorax. Aside from working on the field, I trained 19 junior soldiers in first responder courses and provided care during emergencies. With my team, I implemented a curriculum involving navigating disasters, preparing for different causalities, and stabilizing wounded soldiers in the field. This experience fostered my growth as a teacher and taught me the pivotal role collaboration plays in sustaining success.

• Highlight your leadership and teamwork.
• Include a story, if you can. The military service AMCAS activities descriptions we’ve read have been fascinating and inspiring!

An applicant’s service in the military can distinguish him or her from other med school applicants. From the above experience, the application reviewer is able to gauge the applicant’s aptitude for stressful situations, teamwork, and leadership roles. These are important qualities for future doctors. If you have a military background, consider listing your experience as a “most meaningful experience.” You can utilize the additional characters to tell stories that can be applied to medicine.

AMCAS Work and Activities - Teaching / Tutoring / Teaching Assistant

 amcas work and activities – teaching description tips.

Teaching is very relevant to medicine because you will be teaching the public about health topics and you will be educating your patients about how to take care of their health. We all must remember, a career as a physician incorporates lots of peer-to-peer teaching and the option to train the incoming generation of doctors entering the field. Additionally, as an effective clinician, one must stay up to date, each year, as practice standards and guidelines are updated and new medications are released. Thus, with a teaching experience, you can draw many parallels to medicine and demonstrate your leadership capabilities.  It is no surprise that “Doctor” comes from the Latin word “Teacher”!

• Tell a story! Work on going one step further in your reflections; bring the value of your work to life by sharing a personal experience with a student. 
• Connect this with how you envision your role as a physician to be! For example, teaching students with different learning styles could help you be more flexible/adaptable when communicating illnesses to patients.
• If you have multiple teaching experiences, then the lesson learned or application to patient care should be nuanced and different each time. 
• Answer “How does this experience reflect why I will be a good medical doctor?”

Read below for Teaching AMCAS work and activities examples. 

Frequently Asked Question: Can you abbreviate Teaching Assistant as TA on the AMCAS?

Yes. We typically tell students to spell out Teaching Assistant the first time they write it out.

Example: “As a Teaching Assistant (TA) for Organic Chemistry lab.”

AMCAS Work and Activities Teaching Examples

From the above experience, note that the applicant describes a unique overseas teaching experience that will help her stand out from others. Through this description, the application reviewer gains insight into the student’s diversity of thought and skillsets. Moreover, the applicant shows the admissions committee that she would be an asset to the incoming class and future interdisciplinary teams because she values collaboration and teamwork.

Experience Type: Teaching/Tutoring/Teaching Assistant

Experience Name: Huntington Learning Center Tutor

Organization Name: Huntington Learning Center

Total Hours: 1200

I teach students who possess developmental or learning disabilities. My responsibilities include creating a rapport with students over time to shape lessons that fit their unique needs and academic goals while accommodating positivity. For example, I taught the ACT Math and Science curriculum to Mareena, a student diagnosed with ADHD. I created engaging sample problems and strategies to solve these to ensure score improvement . I established a caring relationship with every student and in turn they demonstrated dramatic changes in behavior, effort, and performance. I am confident that this will translate well in a career that incorporates lots of peer-to-peer teaching and patient education.

One thing we love about this activity is that there is a story of a specific individual the applicant helped. Mareena comes to life. From the above experience, note that the applicant describes an insightful teaching experience that will help her stand out from others. Through this description, the application reviewer gains insight into the student’s leadership, adaptability, and commitment to disadvantaged populations. Additionally, we can picture the applicant working with a student, because of the story of Mareena. An admissions committee reader can infer that the applicant will work well with diverse patients and medical professionals. Finally, the applicant shows the medical school admissions committee how this experience has prepared her for a multifaceted career as a future physician.

Experience Name: Organic Chemistry Teaching Assistant

Organization Name: Harvard University

Total Hours: 120

As a Teaching Assistant (TA) for Honors Organic Chemistry, I worked with students who each possessed different learning patterns. This challenged me to adjust to everyone by customizing each student depending on their level of understanding and speed. One of my students, Mina, was struggling with passing their Organic Chemistry course, I knew that our sessions needed to accommodate her personal drive and meta-cognition. Most of our sessions were spent working through complex problems related to concepts such as reaction mechanisms and verbalizing her thought process throughout. As a physician, I will have the aptitude for effectively communicating difficult diagnoses to each patient.

Many times, applicants will write Teaching Assistant descriptions and write all the logistics they did. While that is not wrong,  it does not stand out.

In the above TA description, we read about what this applicant learned through being a TA. We particularly liked this sentence: “This challenged me to adjust to everyone by customizing each student depending on their level of understanding and speed.”

Additionally, there is once again a very specific story of a specific person the applicant worked with. This is what we push our students to do.

How Will You Stand Out?

How will you make your medical school application stand out among the 50,000 other applicants? 

The two big pieces of medical school application tips we give to premeds so that you can stand out are:

• Highlight a niche in medicine you are interested in: Make sure your entire medical school application highlights a niche in medicine you are interested in. It doesn’t have to be a specific medical specialty, like radiology or pediatrics. It can also be an aspect of patient care or a problem in the medical field that you are passionate about. Are you a global health guru? Love research? Figure out your niche. And highlight these strengths throughout your medical school application. For example, say you are interested in health education. You should highlight this passion in your personal statement, AMCAS activities reflections, secondary essay applications, and your medical school interviews.
• Paint a picture of your s elf through stories:   Our Cracking Med School Admissions team has found that stories are the most powerful way to display an applicant’s relationships with other individuals, teamwork, compassion, and empathy. Your AMCAS personal statement, AMCAS letters of recommendation, and secondary essays should all include stories.

More AMCAS Work and Activities Tips

Amcas work and activities tip #1:, don’t talk too much about your extracurricular activities themselves. instead write more about what you did and the impact you had..

One of the common mistakes we see applicants make is that they do not focus their AMCAS activities section on THEM. Instead, they write too much about the organization or what the team accomplished as a whole. While it is important to show that you are a team player, it should not be at the expense of the reader learning about YOU. When filling out the AMCAS activities section, remember to explain WHY you did something and your personal motivations. One of the key components of a good application is the ability to weave the entire application into a coherent story. Explaining your motivations is a great way to connect your past experiences to your future goals and aspirations. It’s also a great place to talk about your personal reflections on how you’ve grown as a person.

For examples of great AMCAS activities descriptions, download our AMCAS work & activities workbook  here . 

AMCAS Work and Activities Tip #2:

Don’t duplicate information on your primary application and your secondary applications.

To be successful on your AMCAS application, you must combine a variety of stories together to explain why you are a good match for a medical school. Avoiding redundancy is key here, which goes to say that you do NOT want to be repeating information an admissions committee already knows about you. This seems obvious, yet you’d be surprised how many pre-med applicants either re-state information in their secondaries, or complain that they don’t have enough unique stories to craft a winning application.

If you want to write about the same activity in your personal statement, AMCAS activities section, and your specific medical school secondary essays, we definitely support it. However, you should highlight different aspects about the activity. For example, you could use a hospital shadowing opportunity to write both about the rigors of the emergency room, and in a separate essay, you can talk about a personal interaction you had with a patient in the emergency room. Although both of these experiences came from shadowing, they reveal totally different yet essential qualities of a medical professional. And, if you talk about emergency medicine in different activity entries, then you can showcase your interest in emergency medicine.

AMCAS Work and Activities Tip #3:

Spelling and grammar mistakes .

No matter how many times some people are told to proofread and get essays edited, spelling and grammar mistakes always seem to slip through the cracks on the AMCAS application and on secondary applications as well. Unfortunately, that doesn’t give them an excuse, and spelling and grammar mistakes will be looked at unfavorably and taken as carelessness. It’s simple – get your essays edited!

AMCAS Work and Activities Tip #4:

Don’t forget to put all your activities down in your amcas activities section.

This happens more commonly than you think.

Some premed applicants have expressed that they feel they shouldn’t put non-medical related activities in their application because non-clinical activities may be perceived as a lack of focus and doesn’t contribute to their medical school candidacy. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, going “too deep” on a certain activity and not showing a variety of experiences can contribute to not getting any secondaries! Don’t feel bad to show you are well-rounded! However, also remember that there is a difference between a well-rounded applicant and an unfocused applicant. You should be able to explain how your diverse experiences have shaped you as a person and how these experiences will help you succeed in medical school and beyond.

AMCAS Work and Activities Tip #5:

Don’t forget to put all your honors and awards.

On a similar note to med school applicants forgetting to write down their activities, many premeds forget to write all their leadership positions and awards.  We are often on the phone with our premed advisees making sure they don’t forget about a lab presentation or a “Dean’s List” nomination.

The most common information premeds forget on their primary medical school applications: Students forget to put awards, honors, and leadership positions for each activity. Don’t forget to add your presentations, posters, or any other recognitions you’ve had! Even presenting in a lab meeting or to a small group of students should be recognized!

AMCAS Work and Activities Tip #6:

Show depth and commitment through your activities.

One of the common medical school application mistakes students make is that they do not show enough depth and commitment through their activities. From an admissions committee members’ perspective, this results in generic-sounding AMCAS extracurricular activities descriptions and essays. 

There are many opportunities for you to show commitment and passion with your activities throughout your medical school application.  First, your AMCAS work and activities section is a good place to show depth. Be sure to enter the number of activity hours you’ve committed to each activity. It goes without saying that you should choose activities you’ve spent a considerable amount of time across a long period of time. Note: activities picked up 3 months before applying to medical school are usually not strong activities.

Second, write a detailed description of the activity, and any leadership roles you’ve taken on shows commitment. Literally, we’ve been trying to highlight how to write strong AMCAS activities section examples throughout this entire “AMCAS Work and Activities Examples” blog post!

A second way to show your commitment to your activities and the people around you is through your essays – both your personal statement and your secondary essays. As we stated above in our 2 biggest medical school application advice section, be sure to tell stories. You can tell stories about how you have made a difference to an individual, how you have helped your community, and how you have made changes in an organization you lead. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Responses by Dr. Rachel Rizal and Dr. Rishi Mediratta – your Cracking Med School Admissions premed advisors

Work with us through our medical school application packages ! We will personally edit all your essays, and our packages include  unlimited edits!

We love helping students with their medical school applications! Simply leave us a message in the contact form below.

If you want personalized advising and detailed help with your medical school application, including personal statement edits and activities description edits, then check out our medical school application packages . 

Yes! In fact, we have many tips and pieces of wisdom to share with medical school applicants about their impactful experiences. We wrote an entire blog post dedicated towards the AMCAS most meaningful experience descriptions.

In case you missed it, there is also a research most meaningful experience remarks in the research activity description example . 

Here's our best practice - we advise students to have at least 13 activities. If you don't have this many activities, make sure you aren't forgetting any of your part-time jobs, awards, or extracurricular activities.

Remember, you can add non-clinical employment, like working as a barista or as an executive assistant to your AMCAS activities!

Most commonly, people forget that they did a volunteer activity and won an award from freshmen or sophomore year. Don't forget to use a space for awards, hobbies, and work experiences.

We have other strategies to increase the number of activities you have, like separating your honors / awards into multiple activities description. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or issues. 

AMCAS does not verify your hours. There is an honor system though. So, you should put the accurate number of hours you volunteered. Don't stress if it's 161 hours versus 162. Make your best and most accurate estimate of hours for each activity. 

Most pre-meds we've worked with or met through our Cracking Med School Admissions workshops typically underestimate their hours. Remember to include hours where you are planning. For example, students will write the numbers they are physically in lab, but they do not include all the hours they read literature or write publications!

Work experience is definitely important for you to list. 

The Work/Activities section is there for you to show off all of your skills. Holding down a job while doing well as a student, is a huge accomplishment that not everyone can handle. It also shows a well-rounded applicant who can move beyond the lab bench.

The most common mistakes we see applicants make are:

• Talk too much about the organization and not enough about what THEY did.
• Write too little. Some applicants only write 200 characters per activity.
• Forget their activities!

If you do not have 15 activities already, then yes, we recommend using 1 or 2 of the activities descriptions as hobbies. They oftentimes make students sound interesting.

However, if you are short on activities descriptions and you have 15 or more strong extracurricular experiences,  we do not advise you to add hobbies here. You can always write about your hobbies and interesting personality qualities in your secondary application essays. 

If you want more examples of AMCAS activities descriptions, download our AMCAS workbook !

Another trick for entering your activities is to group several different activities under one heading so that you are not wasting multiple spots.

For example, you can put all your works, poster presentations, or awards under one activity. 

Another popular activity that is grouped together is shadowing. In the shadowing example , the applicant groups all their shadowing experiences together. 

There are several ways to list your shadowing experiences on the AMCAS work and activities section. Here is what we see commonly among applicants:

• Write an activity description for each of your shadowing experiences. Since you have a lot of space, you can talk about what you learned, what type of doctor you want to be based on your observations of other physicians, and interesting patient cases.
• Group multiple or all your shadowing experiences in 1 AMCAS activities description. See the example above. 

Write down an individual who can vouch for you and can verify that you participated in that activity. Be sure to include the individual's contact information, such as an email address and phone number, even if it's an international number.

The only time we have heard medical school admissions committee members reach out to your AMCAS experience contacts is a) if they know the individual personally and want to ask about you (we hear this happens often with med school interviewers) and b) if the activity hours and information are egregiously extreme that they want to verify the accuracy of your application.

In general, medical school applications are an honor system. Medical school admissions committees do not want to waste time on figuring out whether your AMCAS application is accurate or not. 

Since the 2022-2023 application cycle, The AMCAS Work and Activities section has been updated to allow students to distinguish completed activities from anticipated activities. A completed activity is an activity that is finished, and its end date must be the current month or earlier. Keep in mind, the current month is the month and year your application is submitted. An anticipated activity is either a new activity or an activity that you are continuing past the month your application is submitted until August of the matriculating year.

This section can help you stand out as an applicant because you can show the admissions committee how you plan to grow while simultaneously applying to medical schools. Moreover, anticipated experiences can help the admissions committee gauge your interests and dedication through certain activities. It is important to note, however, you cannot list the following categories as an anticipated experience:

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Can I add a poster session to my CV if I wasn't there but had my name on it?

I worked on research that was presented as a poster session at a conference. However, I was not the first author and didn't attend the conference, but my name was on the poster. Is it still okay to list the session on my CV?

(I'm aware that poster sessions are not a big deal, but I'm very early in my research career, and I did real work on this project, so I'd like to be able to take some credit for collaborating as long as it's ethical to do so.)

Update: Since the field seems to be an important factor, this would be in linguistics.

4 Answers 4

This might depend on the field. In computer science, for example, conferences are more than just "get togethers" and serious research is often first presented there and might be published only in proceedings. In such a case it would be good for a young researcher, especially a student, to list poster presentations on a CV.

As you say, it isn't just the "presentation" that is important. It is the work that went into the research behind it. If there is no other publication of that research at present, list it, but be clear.

I've learned some interesting things walking through poster sessions and talking to students about their research. It was the research that was important, not whose face I was looking at.

• Especially in CS, it's not the poster (the large, colourful, eye-catching and comprehensive thing that can be put on a wall) or its presentation (one of the authors saying something about the content of the poster), but the "poster abstract" (a very short paper-like document, e.g. 2 pages) that is important and that might appear in some proceedings - main or separate for the poster session - and coupd/should be cited, at least as long as there is no more detailed paper on a topic available. –  O. R. Mapper Commented Jul 15, 2019 at 11:31

In my field (neuroscience, would probably also apply elsewhere in biology and medicine), posters count far less than papers but are still a concrete way to demonstrate progress on a research project. Posters are often drafts of papers so reporting a poster suggests you will be an author on a future publication (with all the caveats of the work not being peer reviewed yet understood by any professor).

For an early career person like a grad school applicant I would definitely list these. The typical way is to have a separate section listed "abstracts" or "poster abstracts" and then cite the abstract including author list, title, and venue. Your presence as a middle author would suggest you were involved in the project but not the presenter so no need to clarify or explain your presence or absence at the conference.

As Bryan and Buffy stated, it can depend on the field and I won't go into that for my answer. I would add a bit to Buffy's answer regarding where you are in your career. If you're a tenured professor, then it probably doesn't make much difference whether you have it on your CV or not--publications matter more anyways. But if you're a graduate student or post-doc who's about to enter the job market, then I would ask the question of "why would you not ??"

For junior scholars, poster sessions can have multiple implications beyond just presenting research findings. It can be a sign that you're active in the research community, working with collaborators on their projects, and/or disseminating findings to a wider audience than the ones who read the journal that you publish your work in, even if you're not the one who presented the findings.

It can also often times be the case that the one presenting the work is not actually the one who had the lead role in the project. For instance, you can be the PI of a large project and have one of your students or research assistants go present the findings to not only give them exposure to the academic environment but also to disseminate findings without having to sacrifice money, time, and effort on your part (perhaps you don't have travel funds or have teaching obligations and can't physically make it to the conference). In this regard, the program of research is headed by you, and presumably, you played a role in the creation of the poster, so why not receive credit for it where credit is due?

Graduate students and post-docs also often times list poster presentations that their students did on their own CVs. In the long run, this doesn't help them in advancing their own career (i.e., no one's going to get a lifetime achievement award for only successfully sending a bunch of undergrads to conferences). However, in the short run for those looking for their first professor position, having a successful track record of your students presenting at conferences can be a good sign of being an active mentor (which can be a quality that hiring committees may value).

But again, in the long run, it may not be worth it to put it on your CV if there's no benefit to career progression.

I wouldn't. If you physically made the poster, maybe. But even then, I would probably pass.

Consider, do you expect to list every talk where your name is written as one of the researchers but your advisor presents the work? Even if you did the slides for him, I wouldn't bother.

I don't think that section on your CV is so much for written work. (That's where the publications go in.) Meetings/presentations is to show that you attended and presented and interacted and learned something. If anything, maybe it's a fair implication if you haven't been to any meetings, that you are not yet a full member of the community. Fine, try to travel more towards the end of your Ph.D. And yes, funding and advisor sensibility can affect this. But still, it is a rational (imperfect) indicator that people look at to see how much you are a grown scientist.

P.s. Here's an idea though if you want to buff that meeting/presentation part up, but don't have the budget to go to ACS for a week. Do some "lunch talks" or the like at companies, national labs, FFRDCes, etc. that are in your geographic vicinity. It will at least be an external audience. And honest, sometimes these interactions are more fun than a several thousand people mega conference. Get a plant tour, network for jobs, learn some applications of your work, even get a consulting gig (at least in the future).

• 1 I would add OP can mention that s/he coauthored x posters at international conferences. For a young researcher, this information might be neglected but shouldn't do anything negative. –  Alchimista Commented Jul 13, 2019 at 9:59

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