I am a freshman contemplating whether or not to stay with boy scout and earn eagle or leave and do something else. I here about how it is will look good in college admissions, but I have seen few go on to amazing top schools, which is my goal non-negotiable.
My son is an Eagle Scout. It demonstrates commitment and community service , both of which may make you stand out on an application. There are also scholarships awarded to Eagle Scouts which may make your dream college financially manageable.
I think it is considered a strong EC. But if you aren’t that into scouting, em take a different path.
^ Agreed.
Another in agreement. Becoming an Eagle Scout requires a big time commitment. Only do it if it is something your truly enjoy being involved with.
And as a piece of unsolicited advice, as a freshman it is too early to make a “non-negotiable” decision about what type of school you want to go to. See how things play out over the next couple of years.
I am not sure what your definition of “amazing top school” is but Eagle Scouts can probably be found on the campuses of many, if not most, of the Top 50 schools. Pure conjecture on my part, but probable. Just because you don’t know them doesn’t mean they aren’t there.
How much the Eagle designation influences acceptance is another question. I suspect applications from Eagle Scouts are boosted more from the life lessons they learn (discipline, commitment, service) and can communicate to AdComs than from the magic words “Eagle Scout”.
Agree with others that you shouldn’t do it just to look good on paper.
OP It’s fine to ask for help. Perhaps you can lessen the blind determination (“this is non-negotiable”) and instead request future help in formulating a good list of target colleges. You’re asking decent questions and that’s good.
However, your declaration of “I must attend an amazing top school” without a proven GPA track record, without test scores, without anything but less than one year’s HS record – is akin to my braggadocio at eleven years old, declaring my future major league baseball stardom.
It’s fine to want to aim for the top but a blunt declaration like that simply allows people to tune you out and dismiss you as blindly naïve.
Being an Eagle Scout isn’t what is going help your college resume. To get to that point you must demonstrate character, leadership, mentoring, and service. It is those things which universities will value. The question is do you value them? If so Scouting will afford you plenty of opportunities to demonstrate those characteristics. Perhaps there are other things you value or other means you wish to use to demonstrate the values you hold. Become the person you are and find out which colleges want that person, don’t spend time trying to become the person you think specific colleges will want. Good luck.
If the only motivation for continuing in Scouting and earning the Eagle rank is to get into a top school, don’t do it. You don’t need Scouting to show drive and character. Plenty of people who aren’t in Scouting regularly contribute to their communities. If you like Scouting and enjoy the activities and opportunities the program gives you to help others, then continue participating in it. But do it for the personal growth and skills you’ll get out of it and the contributions you can make in your community, not for a line on your applications.
One more vote for the “do what you love, not to pad a resume”. One of my DS’s is an Eagle Scout. He was passionate about it and his project contributed to local community service awards and he won a few scholarships (not big ones) due to his Eagle Scout accomplishment. Did his Eagle Scout designation get him into college- probably not. Did it hurt? No, but it probably wasn’t a deal reader one way or the other.
ACK autocorrect!! It should say It probably wasn’t a deal breaker one way or the other.
^ Agreed. D earned her GS Gold Award and I would agree that it looks good on your applications but I don’t think it was viewed as favorably as some other ECs might be. It was something she enjoyed doing though and she was giving back to the community while learning many different things. On the downside, it didn’t allow her much time for other activities, especially during high school when she was working her way to Gold.
More than 50,000 students become Eagle Scouts every year. If you are not enjoying the experience, you are better off spending your time in another way.
I have often wondered if being an Eagle Scout is now viewed as anachronistic by some AOs at some universities. And given the recent controversies regarding gay scouts and scout leaders, I wonder if being an Eagle Scout sends a signal that the applicant is hidebound to traditional American values and may be unwilling (or unable) to adapt to rapidly changing cultural norms.
My son is an Eagle Scout and he did very well in the latest admission round, but he did not apply to schools that are known to be progressive/liberal. Universities that are accommodating to vocal SJWs would seem to be at odds with the scout code. Maybe being an Eagle Scout is a “turn off” at those schools.
Eagle scout is a good EC but it’s no golden ticket. The two Eagle Scouts I know, both with great grades, rigours schedules and 2100+ SATs ended up at Penn State and Villanova, respectively. While great schools, these kids both had a shot at Ivies based on grades and scores alone so being an Eagle Scout obviously wasn’t enough to get them noticed. I’m sure it didn’t hurt their chances, but it was no golden ticket either.
Eagle Scout is a great community service/leadership EC…not only for admissions but in what you learn your self.
It is a highly valued EC for the Military Service Academies.
Eagle scouts and GS Gold Award earners are guaranteed the lowest level merit scholarship at my DD’s school. Also those from science and tech schools or robotic team members. Many students earn a higher award based on gpa/scores, but it is nice to know that you get the guaranteed level.
The reason I asked if it helps is because, ever since cub scouts that is what all the troops, including mine say is a reason to join. I was at a club fair and someone said “You should join boy scout, if you get eagle the colleges love it” with out knowing I already joined. My troop has gone from 70+ members to 20 and more leaving weekly. The reason they keep the rest of us from leaving is not because we enjoy it -expect for a few who really enjoy it- is that it looks good for colleges, and in the past much of the troop, if not all went to top colleges. But in recent times there has been a change. I do not wish to invade, any of the current members who are about to go off to colleges, but it is implied that they think it is not worth it. I used to enjoy scout and somewhat still do, but in terms of is will it benefit me to spend so many hours, for what has been told to me by so many people, for so many years. I have also seen many people who aren’t exactly thrilled about scout, achieve eagle. Finally, I hope that my comments did not offend anyone, they were simply just questions.
Don’t continue to the Eagle Scout level if you don’t like it! However, it can help with certain government jobs, especially security & military type things, because it means you have good outdoor skills & are likely comfortable in a very disciplined environment with some conformity and a rigid leadership structure.
Our older two have Eagle Scout on their resumes. Both were asked about their Eagle projects while interviewing for their internships. It allowed them to segway into a discussion of their group project management skills.
From the scholarship side, before my boys ever made Eagle, I sat on a scholarship committee. The Eagles were almost guaranteed to get one. It had to do with setting and achieving long term goals, persistence, and working through delayed gratification.
IMO, you will never regret it. Good luck!