Boys state vs. Ss

cougar64

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I just found out today that i have been nominated to be sent to Boys State, and i've been told that it is a very venerated leadership program. Unfortunatly it is on the exact same week that I have accepted to attend the summer seminar at the Air Force Academy.

I was wondering which one to attend, or if what would you do if in my situation.
Or can I possibly call and change my ss session, but i doubt it assuming all the slots are filled by now.
 
IMO, I would change the SS session. Boys State is huge!!

Congratulations!!
 
Ok try and do both contact the AFA and see if you can switch… don’t assume that all the spots are full… others may be in the same situation as and have dropped from SS or something else has come up and they may have a slot.. Also do the one that’s going to make you happy… There now that I got that out of the way here’s my take if you have to chose one…

But first a few questions I guess… are you already set on the AFA or are you trying to decide between AFA and some of the other academies? Do you already have some other leadership experiences? Have you ever visited the AFA before? Are you going to one of the other SA SS?

If you’re set on the AFA and not trying to decided I would go to Boy’s State… because it’s a great experience like SS but it also is a huge opportunity for taking some leadership roles and a great learning experience.

If you’re not sure about the SA of your choice and need help deciding if that’ what you want to do then go to the SS. You learn a lot about the school and have so good memories and may help you sway your decision one way or the other.

Bottom line do what's going ot make you happy and stand proud of your decisions and how far you've come.
 
100% Boys State, DS went and LOVED it. His grandfather also went back in his day in Minn. It's a huge honor. AFA will understand if you call up and change the session.
 
Boys state

I would ask to work the SS schedule around boys state as stated above. Boys state is an honor, congrats on your selection. Having participated in Boys state will enhance you application for any SA/ROTC or college application, not to the extent of eagle scout etc, but none the less demostrate your selection to an exclusive program. Others may disagree but if push came to shove, I would advise my son and those I mentor to pick Boys State.
 
What is Boys State, I never heard of it.

Boys/Girls State is a summer leadership/citizenship programs sponsored by the American Legion… If I’m not mistaken each state has one… and in order to go your local American Legion chapter has to nominate you…

Basically everyone that attends forms a city and each of those cities form up mock state legislature then you meet organize and elect leaders and pass bills and such… It is a great experience on how our system works and what it takes to run it… Like people said it's a bit of an honor to get nominated and go.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to put the web site for it but just do a search for Boy’s state and you’ll get their home page or go to Wikipedia to get a general idea… You can also contact your local American Legion chapter for details…
 
IMO, I would change the SS session. Boys State is huge!!

I agree. Another important factor is that Boys State will add points to your WCS while SS does not add any WCS points. I had not heard of Boys/Girls State before my DS was advised to go last year by his ALO. We were told that it is valued in the WCS calculation like being an Eagle Scout.
 
The above responses are dead on! :thumb:

Boy's State and Girl's State are viewed by the USAFA (and others) as a HUGE example of leadership potential, as recognized by your school leaders. That's a BIG deal!!!

If you can "change" your session with SS, by all means, DO IT!!! If you can not...

I would choose Boy's/Girl's State. You were selected for SS...that's a BIG deal...so you'd have BOTH on your resume...and the reason for going to one versus the other...easily explained to your benefit!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Yup; another 100% accurate thread response. Nothing left to really say. Boy's state is NON-Negotiable. YOU GO TO IT!!! If you want your best chance at getting an appointment.

You work on trying to change your Summer Seminar date. If you can't change it, then you don't go. You GO TO BOY'S STATE!!!

Now; the thing I would like to add is: Make sure you are in continual contact with your AOL. Make sure you and S/He are on the same page. Whether you go to Summer Seminar or Not will have absolutely no bearing on your application and possibly getting an appointment. However; if your AOL isn't aware of WHY you canceled going to Summer Seminar; S/He might view it as someone who is not very interested in the academy. Talk to her/him. Ask them to help you get your Summer Seminar changed to another date. Let them know about Boy's State. They know that that can't be changed. And I, and I'm sure Flieger will concur, have never met an ALO who didn't agree that Boy's State is huge and more important than summer seminar. But you need to make sure your AOL knows all this and why you are doing what you're doing. If not; s/he could have a bad perception (albeit incorrect) about you and how motivated you are for the academy. best of luck. mike....
 
I had the same problem this year, I accepted the last session for Summer Seminar not knowing that I would be chosen as Girls State Delegate for my school. I called admissions and they were more than willing to help change my session date,and said that Girls/Boys state is more important than summer seminar in their eyes. Of course, I called in early February, and there were many slots left, so I can't say for sure. Good Luck,and congrats on Boy's state! :smile:
 
My son had this issue last year, actually it is now two years ago. I called admissions at USNA and USAFA. USNA said SS was more important USAFA said Boy State was more important. We got things switch around and he was able to do all three.
 
I'm not dogging the Navy; but the simple fact of mathematics show that Summer Seminar Can't be even be considered as important.

Up until last year, there were basically 2 summer seminar sessions per summer. Each one had 350 attendees. Even if ALL 700 were guaranteed an appointment (Which they aren't), that would mean approximately 1/2 of all appointees would still not have gone to Summer Seminar. So how did those other 700 get appointments. Not everyone can go to Summer Seminar. And considering that most applicants haven't taken SAT's yet; any accomplishments are self reported and not official; etc... Shows that it can't be as important.

Plus; Summer Seminar is specifically designed to "SELL THE ACADEMY TO THE APPLICANT". It isn't designed to weed anyone out. The academy doesn't remember who you are after summer seminar. You aren't TAUGHT ANYTHING at summer seminar. You are simply orientated into the basic concept of the air force academy. Boy/Girl state is leadership training. Every part of it is about leadership. Most schools/states/AL require that the attendees be NOMINATED by their school. It's not simply; "Hey, I want to go to Boy's State. I think I'll go".

I would be very disappointed in the Naval Academy; more specifically their admissions department; if they actually said that "Their Summer Seminar" was more important to receiving an appointment than Boy/Girl state. That tells me that their priorities are definitely misguided.
 
Thanks,
tomorrow I will call my ALO and try to get my summer seminar week switched, and if it comes to choosing one or the other I will choose boys state

I know the Academy is what I want so I'm going to do anything I can to get an appointment, even if it means sacrificing the Summer Seminar
 
I would be very disappointed in the Naval Academy; more specifically their admissions department; if they actually said that "Their Summer Seminar" was more important to receiving an appointment than Boy/Girl state. That tells me that their priorities are definitely misguided.

I guess you should be disappointed because that is what happened. The Marine Captain that had my son's admission file did not even know what Boy's State was and he told me he would get back to me. I am not disappointed by this, why? They are two different academies with different missions.
 
I guess you should be disappointed because that is what happened. The Marine Captain that had my son's admission file did not even know what Boy's State was and he told me he would get back to me. I am not disappointed by this, why? They are two different academies with different missions.

Never said I doubted what you said. I believe it. But I am disappointed. Now a captain with your son's file isn't the board. That's just the administrative side of the process. But either way, they should have known what boy/girl's state is. It's probably one of the most well known leadership activities recognized by just about every college. And if you're not disappointed, that's cool. We're allowed to have different perceptions. Yes, the air force and navy are two different academies, but I personally believe they both have the same mission. According to their own websites/mission statements, I believe they are the same.

Air Force Academy mission: "Our mission is to educate, train, and inspire men and women to become officers of character motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation."

Naval Academy Mission: "The Naval Academy gives young men and women the up-to-date academic and professional training needed to be effective naval and marine officers in their assignments after graduation.... Every day, as the undergraduate college of the naval service, the United States Naval Academy strives to accomplish its mission to develop midshipmen “morally, mentally, and physically.”


Honestly; I really believe that you were dealing with an "Individual" who was ignorant. What makes Boy/Girl's state significant as a leadership accomplishment, is that in the overwhelming majority of states, Boy/Girl's state is not something you volunteer for or decide you'd like to do. It's something that you are nominated to do. Teachers, principals, and other school/community administrators/officials choose a very limited number of individuals to attend such a program. The academies and colleges recognize that your school/community thinks very highly of you to select you. Each state is different, but the selection process is still quite an honor.

Anyway, this is the air force section of the forum. For any of you juniors or sophomores applying or considering application to the air force academy; try to do everything. If you are fortunate enough to be selected to boy/girl's state, definitely go to it. If it conflicts with summer seminar; do everything you can to get summer seminar rescheduled. Try and get both done. Contact your ALO and Admissions to assist in doing both. This way, if you need to cancel summer seminar, the academy and your ALO will both know that it was not your choice, but that you wanted to do both. For those of you applying to Annapolis or West point; I suggest the same thing. Contact your MALO/BGO and seek their assistance in getting your summer seminar rescheduled. Seek their guidance. Best of luck to all. mike....
 
From USNA website Class Profile:
School Honors and Activities

Student body/council/government president or vice president 9%
Class president or vice president 9%
School club president or vice president 25%
School publication staff 24%
National Honor Society 59%
Varsity athletics 91%
Varsity letter winner 85%
Dramatics, public speaking, debating 85%
Leader of musical group 9%
Eagle Scout/Gold Award 13%
Boys/Girls State or Nation 14%
Reserve Officer Training Programs 10%
Sea Cadets 2%


Seems like the admissions people should know what Boys State is if they think enough of it to list it in their class profile.
 
i attended Buckeye Boys State back in the summer of 2005 and loved it. The week is definetely one i won't forget. I still keep in touch with friends from my city. So short of it is i would strongly recommend BS over SS.

One other thing to consider, related to what someone else said, is how set are you on attending USAFA? I would tend to say that the rest of the world would see much more merit in BS than they would in SS. But most importantly what it comes down to, is what would you rather do for your week (if you can't reschedule). Would you rather meet up with a bunch of other men from your state and run a mock government and have those connections, or would you rather learn about USAFA and get a better idea of what you'll (hopefully) do for 4 years? Decide what you want a go for it.
 
Boys State is HUGE

My youngest son did boys state as well as the summer seminar. In addition he is an Eagle. Roll the three together and you have a winning combination. My oldest was elected to Boys Nation, yet did not receive an appointment.
 
hands down if you can't do both do boys/girls state. you can always visit the academy for a day and attend classes and get a feel for life at the academy. the Boys state experience gives a life lesson in politics and citizenship. ds was able to do both. surprised his parents by running for govenor. didn't win but he did learn alot! the week is set up like the military. At least in our state the marines help run it. morning PT; organized rooms/ including how to make a bed; introductory marching etc.... plus no cell phones or facebook for a week!

ds is an eagle, did ss; boys state as well as held numerous leadership positions in scouts. received an LOA and just accepted his appointment!! i am sure the boys state experience only helped him.
 
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