How to write SoP with barely any research experience?

[Jding]

Hi everyone, I'm an international student(Asia) interested in applying for PhD in theoretical cosmology or HEP theory in general. Most universities require applicants to mention past research in their SoPs but I barely have any.

I only did a summer-long research in material science and a semester-long project on Higgs decay(probably doesn't even count as research) and is currently working on my 4th year thesis related to topological field theories. I have no publications.

What I do have is decent GPA, my position is top in my home university which has decent reputation in my country. My GRE is 95%+ and got perfect scores on all sections of TOEFL except for the writing part. I also did a 1 year exchange program in an almost unknown UK university(but I heard their best can get into Oxford or Cambridge) and ranked #1 in most of the courses I took. The professors really liked me and will write LoRs for me.

I'm aiming for universities that rank 30-60 in the US(not the world) and feel like my lack of research experience might really hurt my chances. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should explain/cover this on my SoP? Or am I aiming too high?

[Catria]

Hi everyone, I'm an international student(Asia) interested in applying for PhD in theoretical cosmology or HEP theory in general. Most universities require applicants to mention past research in their SoPs but I barely have any.

I only did a summer-long research in material science and a semester-long project on Higgs decay(probably doesn't even count as research) and is currently working on my 4th year thesis related to topological field theories. I have no publications.

What I do have is decent GPA, my position is top in my home university which has decent reputation in my country. My GRE is 95%+ and got perfect scores on all sections of TOEFL except for the writing part. I also did a 1 year exchange program in an almost unknown UK university(but I heard their best can get into Oxford or Cambridge) and ranked #1 in most of the courses I took. The professors really liked me and will write LoRs for me.

I'm aiming for universities that rank 30-60 in the US(not the world) and feel like my lack of research experience might really hurt my chances. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should explain/cover this on my SoP? Or am I aiming too high?

No that's not too high. These three research experience items would, to be fair, look like what a typical admit at schools in the 20-40 range have (or perhaps even 10-20)...

[Jding]

Hi everyone, I'm an international student(Asia) interested in applying for PhD in theoretical cosmology or HEP theory in general. Most universities require applicants to mention past research in their SoPs but I barely have any.

I only did a summer-long research in material science and a semester-long project on Higgs decay(probably doesn't even count as research) and is currently working on my 4th year thesis related to topological field theories. I have no publications.

What I do have is decent GPA, my position is top in my home university which has decent reputation in my country. My GRE is 95%+ and got perfect scores on all sections of TOEFL except for the writing part. I also did a 1 year exchange program in an almost unknown UK university(but I heard their best can get into Oxford or Cambridge) and ranked #1 in most of the courses I took. The professors really liked me and will write LoRs for me.

I'm aiming for universities that rank 30-60 in the US(not the world) and feel like my lack of research experience might really hurt my chances. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should explain/cover this on my SoP? Or am I aiming too high?

No that's not too high. These three research experience items would, to be fair, look like what a typical admit at schools in the 20-40 range have (or perhaps even 10-20)...

For real? There might have been some ambiguity in my second paragraph. What I meant was I'm working on my senior thesis on topological field theories. I might have mislead people to think that I have worked years on them. But if that's not the case then I'll try my luck with 20ish schools. Thanks!

[TakeruK]

I agree with Catria, your research experience is standard for applicants applying to the top schools. Sure, there are people with a lot more research experience, but the amount is very small. The majority of graduate student applicants do not have more than 1 "term" of research experience (whether it is one single summer or their senior thesis work).