Graduate School
Winning Strategies for Getting In
With or Without Excellent Grades
Dave G. Mumby, Ph.D

Published by:
Proto Press Publications

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying,
audio- or video-recording, or by any other system of information storage and
retrieval, without written permission from the author, with the exception of
including brief quotations in a review.

 

Copyright © 1997, 2004 Dave G. Mumby
Cover Design by Bleu Quest
Printed in Canada by Gagné Printing Ltd.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Canadian Cataloguing In Publication Data
Mumby, David Gerald, 1962-
Graduate school: winning strategies for getting
in with or without excellent grades

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
How the Book is Organized
Where the Advice Comes From
Get Started Now!

I. TRUTHS AND MYTHS ABOUT GRADUATE SCHOOL

Chapter 2 WHY MORE STUDENTS SHOULD
CONSIDER GRADUATE SCHOOL
Grad School? Me? Are You Kidding?
You May Be More Qualified Than You Think

Chapter 3 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU APPLY
Finding Out What Graduate or Professional
School is All About
Understanding How the Selection Process Works
Basic Components of a Graduate or Professional
School Application
Financing Graduate Study

Chapter 4 MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES
Choosing the Right Program
Choosing the Right Graduate Supervisor

II. HOW TO PREPARE A WINNING APPLICATION

Chapter 5 APPLYING SUCCESSFULLY WITH OR
WITHOUT EXCELLENT GRADES
The Easiest Ways to Improve the Odds
A General Strategy for a Winning Application
The Importance of Relevant Experience

Chapter 6 ENHANCING THE OBJECTIVE
COMPONENTS OF YOUR APPLICATION
Undergraduate Grades and Coursework
Standardized Tests
Application Forms

Chapter 7 ENHANCING THE NONOBJECTIVE
COMPONENTS OF YOUR APPLICATION
Letters of Recommendation
The Personal Statement
Preselection Interviews

III. GOING BEYOND THE REQUIREMENTS

Chapter 8 MAJOR STEPS THAT MOST
STUDENTS MISS
Contacting Prospective Graduate Supervisors
Writing Effective Cover Letters

Chapter 9 LITTLE STEPS WHERE MOST
STUDENTS STUMBLE
Proper Timing and Following Up
Curriculum vitae and Résumés

Chapter 10 PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER FOR
A WINNING APPLICATION
Overcoming the Psychological Challenges
Making and Following a Plan