Boys State Questions

AVT

AVT

USAFA 2015
10-Year Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2009
Messages
372
Hi, I have a few questions about Boys State more specifically Keystone Boys State (Pennsylvania).

-How competitive is to attend?
-Do they consider the same qualities as SAs with applicants (athletics, leadership, academics)?
-Would there be an interview and if there is, what kind of questions would be asked?
-Could someone provide me more information on the Honor Guard?

Thanks :smile:
 
My son had a conflict with Boys State and Summer Seminar. Navy Summer Seminar was the same week. I called the academy and they said it was more impt to attend SS. Air Force puts more importance on Boys State, but they gave him credit for being nominated. He has been accepted to Navy, so I can only believe it helped to go to SS. He has not been accepted to Air Force so far. The best thing to do is call admissions at WEst Point and ask them. They are very helpful.
 
Boys State is a great leadership program and a real plus on your application to the Service Academies. My cadet son says to tell you to go if you possibly can. The application process may vary from state to state. You need to go online to Pa. Boys State for information and an application. The guidance office at your school may have information as well.
 
We're from PA. My son was told by the regional Field Force Rep that the SS was nice but doesn't add much to a candidate's background (it's more for the candidate to see what the school is like). Boy's State however is viewed as a wonderful leadership learning opportunity and is a big positive. There is no comparison.
 
Thank you for your responses.

Was there an interview and how many people apply?
 
You apply through your local American Legion Post. My son was the only one to apply in our town so it was no problem at all for him. The Post pays for the program costs. In some towns it can be competitive. Find out early what you need to do to be competitive and make it happen!
 
Does anyone know when the application is open for Boy's State? I live in Tennessee and there is not an application or date on their website. Should I check in with the local Legion post to find out?
 
When my son first found out about Keystone Boys State, it was about a week after the spring application deadline. Our local American Legion chapter happily sponsored him anyway, provided a scholarship to attend, bus transportation both ways and invited him to a dinner a few months later to share his experiences. Overall, he had a great time. For those who took advantage of the structure of the program, there were a lot of opportunities to exercise various leadership roles. He said it was a bit like Model UN with less sleep. Quite a few of the young men he met are current classmates at WP or are attending other service academies. There was also an opportunity to meet an admissions affiliate for at least one academy and review application procedures.
 
For PA, applications open on February 1st and end on June 1st. It's a first-come basis. They ask for your State Voting District, so geographically distribution might be a factor. There is a blank for you to write down your GPA. Also, there is one line where you are asked to put "Activities, Work Experience, and/or Leadership Experience."
 
I was a Girl's State attendee this past summer and if Boy's State is the same experience (which I'm sure it is) please have your son make every effort to go. I had to jump through hoops to get there (my school has never sent a girl there). The experiences your son will have there will help in his application process (effective communication, public speaking, confidence, plus ample leadership opportunities).
That being said, an admissions director I talked to at West Point specifically mentioned that Girl's/Boy's State looks EXTREMELY good on an application
 
I had looked into applying for Girl's State last year, however it conflicted with both USMA SLS and USAFA SS, so I ended up not even applying.

I also just received my LOA from USMA, so while Girl's/Boy's State can help an applicant, it probably won't make or break your appliation as long as your application is strong.

But as suggested before, try and call West Point and see what they think, especially if there is a conflict with Boy's State and SLS.

M19
:cool:
 
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