Comments on: Parting Shots

By: Sue Denim

Sue Denim — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 09:32:47 +0000

Greetings Mr. Barsch:

You can be a jerk.

Even so: Thank you.

Your honest advice is helping me to better critically analyze my own approaches to essay submissions. In my very humble opinion, perhaps one of the greatest sins of a writer is to blather on without consideration for their audience’s feelings and experiences. as such, it is only prudent that I write to appease even the most crankiest and disheveled of judges.

Sure, judges can be merciful. Yet, I have also learned that unfortunately, a judge’s bad day can ruin even the most carefully-written essays: We do, after all, live in an imperfect world, where the judges are simply human.

Did I mention how your remarks can be quite abrasive, to the extent where you appear a jerk? Fret not, that sort of brutal honesty is much needed in a society very removed from reality.

I wonder if you will recognize my scholarship entry just from the writing style of this post.

-Sue

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 03:47:04 +0000

I have a question with respect to references. I have submitted to fellowships that ask that I explain my research plan. This involves including citations. Though I include the citations, I have opted to leave out the reference list in favor of a comment at the bottom of the paper that says “References available upon request.”

The scholarships I’ve submitted have been online. Even if I wanted to include a reference list, I can’t unless I’m willing to have the references included in my word count. I don’t mind the citations counting toward the word count but including the reference list would leave little room for what I actually want to say. Any suggestions?

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:19:11 +0000

Thank u for those information. but i need to know the exactly address of that scholarship. i mean i interest to apply and send an essay (as rule of the scholarship). how and where will i send that essay. thank u. God Bless

By: Dakota Robbins

Dakota Robbins — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:28:35 +0000

Josh,

Thank you so much for the incredible quality of advice given here! You have invigorated me with a new drive to write quality essays through the seemingly endless number of them! Thanks again.

-Dakota

By: pamela west

pamela west — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:00:11 +0000

would a table of contents annoy or endear a scholarship judge?

By: Alaxandria Forror

Alaxandria Forror — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:35:31 +0000

Thank you for sharing all of that with everyone. I think if people were to take the time to read through it, they will benefit. I am a senior in college and thought it was useful (although, you seemed to have proven that to mean nothing with the education we receive today), but thanks again.

By: Dawn McCrickard

Dawn McCrickard — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:16:16 +0000

Thank you for all the information that you allowed us to have. It is nice to know that there are other ways to get through college besides student loans. Thank you again.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:10:23 +0000

Thanks so much! Now that I’ve finished one semester, which included English Comp, I now know that I need to double space an essay; yes, I had no idea last summer when I applied for 23 scholarships! Now I have your helpful hints as well to try, try again.

Thanks again,

Alicia

By: Josh Barsch

Josh Barsch — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:31:06 +0000

Steph: You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy the site and that you win some money!! — Josh

By: Steph

Steph — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:37:06 +0000

Wow, thanks so much for the tips. Im currently writing an essay for a scholarship and this has helped me so much.

Thanks again.
-Steph

By: Gary Grigsby

Gary Grigsby — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:57:53 +0000

You are very kind to offer us this help in applying for scholorships. Today’s economy gives us many challenges to build our character and confidence. I want to wish everyone good luck in this scholorship challenge!

By: bianca

bianca — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:38:24 +0000

Thank you, I finally have some idea as to why my countless essays turn up with nothing. I’m the first in my family to make it to college and its hard to find someone I’m comfortable to ask such questions of and have them know what they are actually talking about. I don’t feel so lost anymore.

By: tia beasley

tia beasley — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:56:22 +0000

Thanks for the advice.
Tia

By: susan

susan — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:39:04 +0000

thanks jose, i av realised the many mistakes i make when submitting my scholarship essay. i have applied many but i have never been considered.. you can guess why? Thanks for rescueing me before i drown!!!
thanks again!
Susan

By: imakedo

imakedo — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:00:34 +0000

when I submitted my very first entry,actually,I didn’t have a single clue as to whether I did anything right in there.Well, not really.One thing I did right for sure:I tried to get myself a scholarship.
Now, thanks to your help,I’m going to write my next entries with a little bit more confidence.At the very least,I now have some clues.
Again,thanks!!!

By: Josh Barsch

Josh Barsch — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:38:12 +0000

Brittiany — you’re very welcome! I’m glad to know that the site has had a positive effect on you! You’re right — it’s hard to imagine how many bad (but easily fixable) mistakes that students make. Thanks again, and hope to see you around ofen.

Ja Sweatt — you’re very welcome. Congrats on acceptance into the grad program! Keep up the good work, and believe me, there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. Come back often and let us know how you’re doing.

Best,
Josh

By: ja sweatt

ja sweatt — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:47:38 +0000

thanks

By: ja sweatt

ja sweatt — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 21:46:59 +0000

Thanks so much for your words and advice . I am a mom, widow and in my late fifties . I am thinking about scholarships and grants . As I am working as a para with a very low salary . I have been accepted into a graduate program for teachers . All the bullets of advice will be taken to heart and to my fingers as I work on my essay .
Thanks
J. A. Sweatt

By: Brittiany B.

Brittiany B. — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:57:03 +0000

Thank you very much for all of this absolutly amazing material! As easy as writting an essay may seem, your website has helped me to completely turn my writting around. Who knew there were so many dumb mistakes students could make?