I’m an Eagle Scout and I plan to use that to boost my app a little. Do you guys think that it will have an effect?
<p>I think so. It shows you are responsible and that you can stick with something longterm. Lots of kids enter scouting but few make it to Eagle. Also, tell them if you were Senior Patrol Leader. Definitely a job that promotes growth.</p>
<p>Yes, absolutely. It's a great honor that comes after years of work and responsibility. I interviewed for an Ivy for 15 years and always perked up when I got an Eagle Scout. My son goes to a top ten school and the adcoms specifically mentioned his Eagle status. He held every position up to Senior Patrol Leader and had more responsibility for other people (and in potentially dangerous situations, such as caving, white-water rafting, and sailing trips) than any of his non-Scout peers. He also taught "Leave No Trace" classes, etc. There will always be people who sneer at Scouts. Just ignore them.</p>
<p>Should I list my positions of responsibility such as PL, ASPL, SPL?</p>
<p>Also what about my awards such as world conservation (2mb's) and my religious medal (God and Country)</p>
<p>I included the awards (religious, positions, OA, Palms, etc.) on my application, and I think you should (they certainly can't hurt you). Order of the Arrow would be another boost (if you're a member), IMO. By the way, only 4% of all Scouts make it to Eagle-congrats! :)</p>
<p>Hey, How do you get order of the Arrow?</p>
<p>Your troop may have a OA troop representative. If not, contact your local council. Every year troops hold elections (kind of like National Honor Society) for OA. The elected candidates are "tapped out" at a ceremony (in May?), and then you have to go through the Ordeal (usually three are available per year). Your local scout council should have more information. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>I have a related question. I've submitted my Eagle Scout application recently, and one of my recommendations was so incredible that I want to send it to colleges. How could I do this? Could I fax my own recommendation letter?</p>
<p>Probably...I e-mailed Yale a similar question about National Merit, and they said just to fax it in. Alternately, you could send it in with the Midyear Report.</p>
<p>It helps, but not that much, trust me.</p>
<p>Kenli, how long did it take you to become an eagle scout? I am a sophomore, and started scout just last September. I always wonder when I can make eagle scout. In my troop, we have no eagle scout, and the highest one is a Star scout.</p>
<p>kenli, Congratulations on becoming an Eagle! And yes, it helps A LOT. In fact in one university information session that I attended with my son, the adcom member used Eagle as the perfect EC: it shows progression, character, personal relationships, self-reliance, mentoring, community service, the whole gamut of what EC's are supposed to do for you. </p>
<p>Did you already apply or are you applying next year? What my son did was a separate EC package for Boy Scouts. He wrote up a scouting resume listing the sequence of his positions and ranks plus awards (just major ones, not every merit badge). He included a letter of recommendation from his scout master, who also happened to have a PhD from a major university, and a magazine article on a community service event that he organized as part of his Eagle project. And he wrote his "favorite EC/activity" short essay on scouting, so it made a complete package.</p>
<p>PS (Edit) I just looked at your profile. You should apply to Williams. You sound like a perfect fit.</p>
<p>After achieving First Class rank, it takes a minimum of sixteen months to make Eagle. First Class generally takes at least a year. You must complete all Eagle requirements, except the Board of Review, before you turn 18.</p>
<p>Kenli, the ordeal is fun! (just kidding... :))
You have to go to a boy scout camp and they have a little introduction of sorts and after that you cannot talk until it is done. You have to do strenuous labor (again w/o talking) and you are given the minimum of food to survive (bread and water)... Then when you go to sleep at night, you are to have no tent, just you and the woods</p>
<p>What really stinks about my scouting experience is that I achieved Life when I was about 16 1/2 and i worked on my eagle for the next year until one day I learned that my troop didn't exist anymore. By that time it was summer and where I live the troops don't meet for a certain period during the summer and the only thing I had to do was have my board of review... By the time I would have been able to join another troop it was too late :(</p>
<p>Admission officers know what being an Eagle Scout means. momrath summed it up pretty well. Very few ECs require the depth and breadth that becoming an Eagle Scout does. I would feature it prominently on your resume.</p>
<p>kenli, my son is very active in OA and has held offices locally and at the section level. He was Section Vice-Chief last year. He was asked to run for Chief, but he felt he couldn't devote the time necessary to do a good job between school and finishing his eagle project. OA offers more advanced leadership possibilities than your local troop.</p>
<p>My fourteen year old SPL is a member of OA, and had his ordeal last Feb. He said it was "Fun". He's about a year and a half away from Eagle (according to his time table). I told him that there are probably not a lot of African American Eagle Scouts/OA members around, and that if he maintains an excellent academic record, it could stand him in very good stead come college admission time.</p>
<p>Sam - you can make Eagle, you just need to work hard and do some planning. A boy graduating with my daughter began Scouts about sophomore year, and was scheduled to age out as a senior - he worked hard and made Eagle. There are some ranks, as Ellen implies, that have "time served" requirements, that minimum 16 months sounds correct. It will be more difficult to be the first Eagle from your troop, but just going through the process of becoming the first Eagle will be valuable leadership training, and will help the younger boys. Good Luck.</p>
<p>poetsheart - is your son planning on going to the National Jamboree? My son went to the last one four years ago and had a fantastic time. If he didn't need to make some $ this summer he'd be back there on OA staff.</p>
<p>cangel, thank you for your kind info. I'll try to work on Eagle scout by working hard and doing some planning as you advised.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, most of the eagle scouts now do the program only for the prestige associated with the award, and its benefits for admissions and resume quality etc. </p>
<p>Signed.... (Eagle Scout)</p>