publications - Is it acceptable to list unpublished papers in a PhD application for computer science?

I have a couple of papers that are works in progress or in the submission process. Can I list under my publications list (and clarify they are not yet published but on the road to it)?

Answer

There are 4 different stages of a paper:

1. 
   

   In preparation. In maths, this means: we know it's true and we're writing it down. In engineering it can be: measurements done. Etc.

   
   



2. 
   

   Submitted. That's clear what it means. I'd just add: In general, you don't say to which you have submitted it, just in case it got rejected and you re-submit it elsewhere. However, for an application, I would include this information to show the level of journals or venues you aim at.

   
   


3. 
   

   Accepted or To appear or In print. You've got a final "ACCEPTED NOTIFICATION" from the journal. Maybe the proofreading wasn't done or whatever, but now it's clear that the paper will be published (well, it need not, but that's a borderline thing). I personally prefer to write "accepted" since that's clear. Both "to appear" and "in print" may indicate that the volume and pages have been assigned, which need not be true.

   
   


4. 
   

   Published. It's published.

   
   

You can include papers in all 4 categories in your application. I would actually say that for 2,3,4 you ought to include them. For the ones in preparation, consider the significance of the paper, it can look like: The applicant hasn't done anything yet on it and is just blowing up his publication list. Of course, you have to say in which stage the paper is (well, not for stage 4 papers).