<p>I really, really want to apply to Harvard EA and UVA EA. I don't want to have to wait until April to receive my first college decision (even if it's rejection)</p>
<p>The thing is, I'm a Life Scout right now and am close to earning the Eagle Scout award. I'm building my Eagle Scout project this winter.</p>
<p>Does it matter if I apply early and put "Expected to become Eagle Scout by (date)"? Or is it better to wait until I have the award and apply RD in December?</p>
<p>If I apply early, I'll submit my extensive technical drawings for the stairs I plan to build (I have been planning this project for since June of 2011). Is that enough or should I wait until I have completed the project?</p>
<p>What I’ve heard is that it is a lot better to say you have done it instead of saying you plan on completing it. But it is your opinion and there are many things in the application that can also make or break your acceptance.</p>
<p>But I really am not sure how significant of a difference scouts will be for your application and whether that difference is big enough to cover the chances of getting into Harvard EA without it</p>
<p>Sure, let them know you expect to complete ES by xxx. But, rather than submit your drawings, (which they may not see or be able to interpret,) why not include a short write up in Addl Info and have your scoutmaster just send a brief note confirming you are on schedule, with a few words about the project and its value?</p>
<p>Lots of kids don’t complete the project even by RD date, based on their b-days and needing the time. It’s a shame not to claim some credit for it. Good luck.</p>
<p>Of course you can say you are close to earning your Eagle Scout and of course they will believe you without a note from anyone. It will be obvious from your application that you’ve been involved in the scouts probably for years and aren’t likely to lie about something so obvious and easy to confirm. If this activity is important to you, by the way, assume you will be making mention of it elsewhere in your application or including a letter of rec from your scoutmaster? If it’s not important to you, then it probably isn’t important to your application overall anyway.</p>
<p>In my app in this situation I uploaded a c.v. in the additional information section and under BSA I said something like “I am a smidgen away from earning Eagle rank.” I had already finished my project, though, and was just waiting on a board of review.</p>