<p>I'm working on filling out my college applications but I have hit a bit of a barrier. I have been told being an eagle scout is very very helpful on college applications. Here is the issue. I have all of the requirements done to be awarded the rank, except for the project (and the board of review which is really just kind of a tradition, no one doesn't pass the review). I am working on the project now and so I could be done with it in 1-2 months. but then I would probably have to wait an additional month for the official board of review (even though I would really have already finished all the requirements). Long story short, I am definitely going to finish and be awarded the rank in the next few months, but I am unsure if I will be done by the time application deadlines are due. So here is my choices: I can wait until I hopefully have everything officially done (maybe like December) and am officially eagle scout, and then apply to colleges. Or I could apply now, and on my app say I am soon to be awarded the rank of eagle scout. What would be the best way of going about this situation? because I have been told it can be very influential, especially in more competitive colleges (in addition I'm going to participate in ROTC). I'm applying to Tulane, Alabama, vanderbilt, notre dame, and northwestern. One of my essays describes all that I have learned through scouting, and so I can go into the details of the story in that and inform the admissions officers that I will soon be awarded the rank.
So my real question is What should I do!?!? apply now and talk about how I am almost it, or wait till the last minute when I hopefully officially have it?</p>
<p>And just so you know, I am borderline at vandy, ND, and northwestern… Only a 31 act, but 4.2 gpa, several Ap’s, etc.</p>
<p>“Almost an Eagle Scout” applies to a LOT of young men. You still have one to two months of work to do on your project! You can mention it on your apps, but I don’t think it will be very helpful. You actually still have quite a few hurdles to overcome. My son found the paperwork AFTER the project to be quite time-consuming. You are not as close to being an Eagle as you seem to think. There’s no way you will have your official rank before apps are due.</p>
<p>I understand that is a possibility, and I know that was a problem in my old troop. However, my scoutmaster works with the city council member who has to do all of the signing off on the paperwork, etc. and so traditionally I have understood it to move fairly quickly in my troop. But I may be mistaken… So what would you say your final piece of advice is? Just apply now?</p>
<p>Also how important is it to OFFICIALLY have the rank as opposed to just have the project done. I mean technically the project is the last of the requirements. Sure there is paper work to be done, but it’s not like you can fail the paperwork and not be awarded the rank… Do colleges look for some official list of eagle scouts?</p>
<p>Even after the Board of Review, you have to get official approval from the Boy Scouts. I know my son’s info was sent down to Texas, and it was quite a few weeks before we got the official word. You cannot call yourself an Eagle Scout just because you’ve finished your project. You are expected to finish the paperwork, turn it in, be approved at your Board of Review, and get official word from the Boy Scouts. That may be only a formality, but it is an important step in the process. I guess you could wait to the last minute to apply to schools, but that’s your decision.</p>
<p>Do not be tempted to put “Eagle Scout” on your apps prematurely. That could go very badly for you!</p>
<p>I would never exclusively say eagle scout obviously if I was not officially awarded it. Is it a big deal to wait till the last minute to apply to colleges? Could I go on an all out sprint to finish it as soon as possible and hope the official word gets here in time for me to send it in with my app? or should I just say screw it, get it in the future, but not in time for my apps and just apply early. Regardless, my essay where I am asked to elaborate on one of extra curriculars will be about my scouting experiences and how it has helped me grow and mature and I will mention how far along I am. Clearly it won’t be worth as much since I haven’t officially been awarded eagle yet, but discussing how the program in general has helped me develop into the person I am today would still be a good essay would it not? How extremely helpful would you say being an eagle is? How much am I losing by not being able to say I am an eagle scout?</p>
<p>okay well thanks for the input. I guess I’m just going to finish my project in about 1.5 months. and then send in my app and it will say “final eagle scout approval pending”. Since I will have finished all the requirements and am just awaiting final paperwork and approval that sounds like the best way to word things. Thanks for the help.</p>