"This is the most comprehensive book that I have ever seen about applying to grad school. The advice, aimed primarily at undergraduates looking to further their education, is sound and each topic is thoroughly covered. This thought-provoking guide leaves no stone unturned; I would recommend it to anyone considering applying to grad school." Sia Knight - Educator, Speaker, Blogger, Author of Top College Questions Answered

"I am very much enjoying the second edition of Graduate School: Winning Strategies For Getting In. It has provided a wonderful comprehensive resource as I advise undergraduate students pursuing Master of Arts, Master of Science, MBA and Master of Music degrees. Additionally, it has complemented the textbooks I use in my course, Career Skills for Musicians, especially since the overwhelming majority of Stetson University music students pursue graduate studies." Patrece Robinson, B.M., M.M. Adjunct Faculty of Music, Career Skills for Musicians, Assistant Director, Career Development, Stetson University

"I am happy to tell you that I love having this book as a resource for our students and wish I had a couple more copies. It is comprehensive but not overwhelming. The layout is practical and easy to read. Students can pick and choose chapters that are specific to their questions or it can be read in its entirety. The language and writing style makes it very reader friendly and easy to absorb. I highly recommend it! " Martha Tanedo, Coordinator of Student Support, Ohio University-Chillicothe, Chillicothe, Ohio, U.S.A.

"This book is a great resource for our students and I am including this copy in our Resource Library here at the Career Development Center." Veda Swift Jeffries, Associate Director, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A.  

"I enjoyed the book and the material in the book. From my experience (I have been to graduate school twice), the information was accurate and has given me several points to highlight when talking with students. It is nice to have a book to say what my experiences have told me so there is some merit in my spoken word. Very easy to read and pick out the points that students need to consider as they approach graduate school. I plan to incorporate it into some of my presentations this coming school year." Denise Barnard, Assistant Director, Career Center, Central College, Pella, Iowa, U.S.A.  

"I have found it to be a near perfect addition to our Career Library. The book coupled with the GRE prep books and the Peterson's has given our students a trifecta of planning materials. With approximately 40% of Furman graduates entering grad school immediately following their baccalaureate degree this has been an exceptional resource especially the interview advice which seems to be THE most anxiety producing aspect of the whole application/admission process." Larry Hudson, Assistant Director, Career Services Furman University, Greenville, SC, U.S.A.

"I'm currently using your textbook as the main text in my course of Preparing for Graduate School (Honors 495G) at UMass-Amherst. The students and myself have considered it a great resource." Carlos A. Suárez Carrasquillo, University of Massachusetts- Amherst, U.S.A.

"Graduate School: Winning Strategies For Getting In by Dave G. Mumby, Ph.D. covers all the basic concepts and content that students would need in the application process to graduate school. I would recommend this resource to students who are considering or applying to graduate school. It seems to be a thorough resource with current information which students will find useful. I’ve placed this book in our career library’s graduate school section for in-house use." Paula L. Michael Dass, M.A., NCC, Career Counselor/Adjunct Instructor, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, U.S.A.

"I have recommended this book to my students because it is simply the best recourse out there for students interested in grad school" Dr. David R. Brodbeck, Department of Psychology, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, CANADA

"Very comprehensive and formatted in a way that is understandable and easy to follow. It provides excellent resources and is a usable book in out print library” Charlie Endicott- NBCC, MCC, Associate Director of Career Services, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, U.S.A.

"It is a great addition to our collection, a very thorough resource on the subject of getting in to graduate school. The section on reference letters and what should go in them will come in handy. I often have students come to the lab saying that the person writing their reference letter has asked for guidelines on what to put into the letter. Now I have something to give them. The timeline chapter will also be useful to our students, as well as the wealth of information to guide one through the entire application process." Deborah Dolak, Career Center, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, U.S.A.

"I did not achieve particularly fantastic marks during my undergraduate degree. Hearing colleagues speak proudly about their high grades was particularly disheartening for me. I spent many days and nights worrying about my future prospects. I had heard about Dr. Mumby's book and I decided to give it a read. Just reading the book helped me with some of my anxieties about applications by helping me feel that I had an understanding of some of the unknowns of the application process. Following as many of Dr. Mumby's suggestions as I could, I and managed to get accepted to grad school! Not only did I get accepted, I got accepted into MULTIPLE great universities/programs, giving me both peace of mind and the power of choice. I am confident that following the procedures in this book helped me get to where I am today. This just goes to show that marks are not everything to everyone. Had I not read the book, who knows where I would be today..." David Pike, MPhill Criminology, Cambridge University. Received AAMFT-accredited post doc training and currently in private practice as a Marital and Family Therapist.

Book Review - Graduate School: Winning Strategies for Getting In, by Dave G. Mumby, 2nd edition

Posted by GradShare - DevinMcGinty on December 8, 2011 1:45:26 PM EST

So, are you content with your bachelor's degree -- or do you just think that you can't afford grad school? Perhaps you're convinced that your grades aren't up to par, or that you won't do well in a certain program. The application process seems too daunting, so you've decided to forego the opportunity to attend grad school, and roll the dice in the job market. Don't settle for that entry level job just yet; there's a book you should read before you make up your mind about postgraduate education.

Graduate School: Winning Strategies for Getting In, by Dave G. Mumby, was originally published in 1997. At that time it was one of the few books on the market that offered advice about applying to graduate school. Fast forward 15 years and we have the second edition. The title has been edited, the role of modern technology in the application process has been addressed, a few key sections have been added, and the book now works in tandem with the website http://mygraduateschool.com/. However, one important element has not changed with this edition -- the content of the book remains an asset to "undergraduate college or University students who are either currently planning to apply to graduate school or professional school, or who have not yet made that decision but eventually will."

Information is only as valuable as its source. Much of the advice and insight throughout the book comes from professors and faculty members, interpretations of other books that offer similar advice, and of course, Dave G. Mumby himself. As a professor at Concordia University, and a supervisor to undergraduate honours and graduate students in psychology, Mumby has direct experience with assisting students that decide to pursue or have pursued postgraduate education. Moreover, he is keen on what selection committees look for when evaluating potential grad students, because he has personally served on such committees.

Experience aside, Mumby's words come across in a calm and direct tone; it's a good lecture spliced with an in-depth conversation during office hours. There is a sense that he genuinely wants to help potential grad students. Several books that offer grad school advice have a chapter near the beginning about, "why you shouldn't go to grad school." Instead, this book includes a section entitled, "Find out what grad school is all about." In fact, that sentiment was the motivation for the introduction to this review. It's not often that you hear (or read) the phrase, "grad school is more rewarding than most people think." It's education, romanticize it if you choose, but the point is that Mumby is helpful, honest, and positive. The positive part is especially refreshing.

Don't get too giddy, the book is just as much realistic as it is positive. You don't want a letter of recommendation from just any professor, regardless of whether you hold he/she in high esteem, or vice versa. You're good grades don't guarantee you'll be successful in grad school. Do you even understand how the application process works? And how can you afford grad school? All of these topics are covered. For example, chapter 11 covers "financing your graduate studies," and the entire fourth chapter is dedicated to a discussion about grades -- "two common misconceptions are that one must have outstanding grades to get into grad school, and that outstanding grades are all one needs." More >>

If you wish to review the Book or eBook. Please send your review to protopress@mygraduateschool.com