<p>Can anyone comment on the advantage of receiving the Order of the Arrow from Boy Scouts? We know, of course, the cachet that Eagle gives but my DS is not going there.
He was nominated for OA, but is reluctant to give up a weekend for the ordeal. Given that there is no Eagle for him, will OA catch the eye of adcoms? He doesn't have much other EC activity.</p>
<p>I don’t think the adcoms would be impressed, since nobody knows what OA membership entails.</p>
<p>Well, I know what OA is, but adcoms likely won’t and it’s just a couple day commitment to get so it really isn’t going to mean anything as an award. Eagle is the only award that will mean anything as it implies a long term commitment. But, if your son has spent significant time on scouting activities during HS or held leadership positions, it still could be listed as an EC. All ECs don’t need to result in awards.</p>
<p>If the only reason he would want to go through the Ordeal and be in OA is as an advantage to college admittance, then of course he shouldn’t do it.</p>
<p>Probably not but will he reach the Life scout level? that shows a longer term of involvement. Not as good as eagle but something.</p>
<p>To adcoms, it’s just BSA, and if he doesn’t make Eagle, it’s not as strong. OA is totally unknown unless you’re involved in scouting, and it still isn’t much. </p>
<p>Instead, I would suggest you list scouting involvement this way under extracurriculars: Boy Scouts of America: years of commitment, hours, rank, and “leadership” which is where OA goes (as well as Senior Patrol Leader and whatever else).</p>
<p>At one time, BSA involvement was so strong. It’s still a great program, but they messed up w/ their legal issues.</p>
<p>Here’s how S1 described it on his Activity Resume, under “Honors”:
National honor society of the Boy Scouts of America, recognizing those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives; Ordeal and Brotherhood levels achieved</p>
<p>I don’t think it made any significant difference, although was part of a total package of school and community leadership.</p>
<p>My parents were really proud that I was nominated. The weekend was OK, though I don’t think it really made a difference in my life. (I was already pretty independent and reliable … as well as being really capable outdoors.)</p>
<p>I agree with the prior four posters. It probably won’t make a big difference in his applications. Then again it won’t hurt him either.</p>
<p>Thanks, Everyone</p>
<p>Yes, DS is life and has held every position in his troop and was very involved until this year. He lacks 2 MB’S and the project for eagle, which is sad not to finish. </p>
<p>Yes, basically HE thinks he would be doing the OA ordeal just for the college apps; <em>I</em> think time off his computer and service would be good for him in the long run. (Same thoughts as for Eagle!) But he doesn’t see it that way.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. We do expect to fill out the scout stuff for EC’s.</p>
<p>…and YES, I used to read ALL the SLACKER SON threads…</p>
<p>Is it too late for him to go back and finish the Eagle requirements? That’s something that’s really worth it for its own sake, as well as for benefits it provides. I think it would be more valuable than OA, and depending on the project, might not even take that much more time.</p>
<p>I had this idea that my son had to have all of his merit badges before he could start his Eagle project, but someone has since told me that is not the case. </p>
<p>It would be great if he could get his Eagle - does he have some time before he turns 18? If he has a heart for others, you might be able to inspire him to do the project, just for the beneficial aspects to the community. Almost everyone in Son’s troop did some sort of construction or landscaping which was not my son’s “thing”. He did a Denim Drive for a local clothes closet. It wasn’t increibly taxing because people really do want to help others - I bet if your son sent out some emails, posted on his facebook and enlisted the help of his troop (which is key), he could have hundreds of pairs of jeans in no time. Just a thought.</p>
<p>
I agree with you. OA is a very unique experience, even within Scouting. While I have to admit that my Ordeal was a thoroughly miserable experience (we got flooded), it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.</p>
<p>Admission officers know about the different awards within scouting. We are also aware that the time commitment required to achieve certain designations varies, so if you did a significant Eagle Scout project, I think it’s worthy of a sentence or two. After all, I’ve seen a kid clean out a library’s basement with two friends and get Eagle and I’ve seen another coordinate a crew of scouts to do a massive trail maintenance project.</p>
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<p>LOL, so did my son! It was very hot, and Texas was in the middle of a severe drought…they were so hot and miserable - until the heavens opened, the drought was over and then they were wet and miserable!</p>
<p>Brings back memories. I was OA nearly a half century ago. Still remember it and wished I had my OA sash. Do they still give sashes?</p>
<p>I think Vigil would definitely be on par or close to on par with eagle. I was both an Eagle and OA. On my common app in the additional info spot I went into detail about my scouting experiences and what OA and other positions meant. Make sure to explain to the adcom what they all mean.</p>
<p>Our S listed his OA and other leadership positions on his common app. He had already completed his eagle project, but not the last few merit badges. In a mad rush in the spring, just before graduation and his 18th birthday, he completed all his eagle requirements, and came home from college weekend before last for his Eagle Court. His path to Eagle is pretty standard for his troop.</p>
<p>
Yep. One each for ordeal, brotherhood, and vigil.</p>
<p>As an eagle scout and an OA member, I don’t see being a member of the OA by itself to be a major accomplishment. All that it consist of is doing is being nominated and going through an unpleasant weekend. OA can become impressive if you do different things within the OA, the most notable thing I can think of is doing something on par with becoming Lodge Chief. The same principle applies to being an eagle scout. If you are a kid that runs through and gets eagle by the time they are 13 and then does not do anything else, that looks rather unimpressive. But if in addition to becoming an eagle scout you also are the head youth staff member of a regional camp, or get something like a higher level of the Hornaday award, then your scouting accomplishments seem far more impressive.</p>
<p>If a scout wants to do OA, he should. I would note it briefly along with any other Scout things. Adcom members who were involved in Scouting will know what it means, and interviewers who were scouts may use it as a jumping off point for conversations.
But, really, do it because you want to. That’s what my son did.</p>