Author: Dave G Mumby, Ph.D.

I am a professor in the Psychology department at Concordia University, in Montreal. Throughout my long career I have supervised numerous graduate students and have served on many graduate selection committees. I am also the author of the best-selling book: Graduate School: Winning Strategies for Getting In. I began this blog soon after publishing the 2nd edition of the book, in order to provide supplemental information, insight, and advice concerning graduate and professional school, and getting the most out of an undergraduate university education.

Most letters of recommendation are never read! 

I do the same thing when I’m speaking to a group of students about preparing for graduate-school applications. One of my favorites comes up when discussing how letters of recommendation are used in the evaluation of grad-school applicants. I like to point out that these letters are often the most influential part of a successful application. No controversy there. But, then, I tell them that most letters of recommendation are never actually read!