Eagle Scouts and appointment

Hello, and thanks for taking time to read this. You may have seen my previous thread on my application, but I was reconsidering one thing: scouts

Will hop getting my Eagle Scout be good for the Academy? Is it just something to have that they don't really consider? Any input will help. Thank you!


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Everything is considered. They look at your activities and see how far you've gone in them, in regard to leadership, experience, team work/building, etc...

I.e. They will compare "Eagle" to another scout applicant who only made it to "Life". Just like they'll look at someone who received the Billy Mitchell in Civil Air patrol vs someone who didn't. Or someone who was the "Captain" of their football team vs just a player. Or the person who was the Drum Major vs someone who simply was a participant. The list goes on. Class President vs normal student. President of the Stamp club vs a participant.

I think you get the message. The only thing I ever emphasize, is that whatever extra curricular activity you're doing, do it because you want to. Not because you think it's going to get you extra points in your academy application. Fortunately, something like eagle scout isn't something you can just decide to start doing at 16 years old. "Usually", getting through all the ranks and getting "Eagle", sort of proves you're really into it and have been for a number of year. Hope this answers your questions.

I earned my Eagle in 2011. I think it helped my application, but Christcorp is right!

My son earned his Eagle Scout also; I really think it helped him.

I am an Eagle Scout and I don't think there is anything that I have done that compares to this achievement. If you are close to getting your Eagle I encourage you to pursue attaining the coveted rank. The skills and experience you will gain from completing your project will be beneficial to you for the rest of your life. I also suggest you don't do this for college apps, do it for you.

Just my biased opinion.


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Coming from someone who quit scouts early on, I completely agree. I have wished that I stuck with it ever since, not because of applications, but like PeterK said, because of what it teaches each individual that has the perseverance to achieve such an award. While only 17% of 2017 appointees were eagle scouts, I think it would have a tremendous impact on your application and moral developement.

I have accepted my appointment and am also an Eagle Scout. I developed a relationship with a former dean of faculty and he, as well as the my representative in Colorado Springs (not my alo) said that being an Eagle Scout was the #1 indicator of success at the academy. They said that it was very beneficial. That being said, being an eagle is not by any means an automatic in.


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First question that the congressional member asked my son when he called inquiring about how to get a nomination..."are you an Eagle Scout"?

Being an Eagle Scout shows many things...One is that you will complete what you start.


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Those that know the process to become an Eagle Scout know what it really means. It's not something you decide to do and a year later become an Eagle Scout. It's a huge deal. I believe an Eagle Scout that plays varsity sports, gets good grades and has decent SAT scores has a better chance than someone who is the captain of a varsity sport, is near the top of the class and has high SAT scores.

The military recognizes what it means to be an Eagle Scout. Not that it applies to any of the candidates trying for an academy - an Eagle scout who enlists does not start at E1 (I forget if it's E2 or E3 where they start).

With that said, I have seen my share of marginal Eagle Scouts, but even the marginal ones have learned a lot of leadership skills and performed a significant amount of community service hours.

2018USNA said:

The military recognizes what it means to be an Eagle Scout. Not that it applies to any of the candidates trying for an academy - an Eagle scout who enlists does not start at E1 (I forget if it's E2 or E3 where they start).

With that said, I have seen my share of marginal Eagle Scouts, but even the marginal ones have learned a lot of leadership skills and performed a significant amount of community service hours.

Click to expand...

When you enlist you start as E2. I had a friend who was an Eagle Scout in my tech school class. I can't say that this is what helped him, but he had a lot of things going in his favor. Salutatorian in high school was an Eagle Scout, and he also seemed to stand out.

I appreciate everyone's help. I won't have my Eagle Scout while I apply, but I will during my senior year. Will this hurt me? Will they still look at it?


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Have it all done before the end of Jan. and then you can add it to your file. If you finish after Jan. 31st then they will not add it to your file.

Your guidance counselor will continue to add items to your file up until the decision is made. However, if you add it in March then it probably won't help you because your file might have already been viewed and a decision made. It just depends, but always send and update your file if a major event happens.

Eagle Scout is certainly no guarantee! The package has to be strong in all areas. DS got his Eagle Scout at 14, still wasn't accepted. He has a 3.92 unweighted GPA. 740 Math and 590 CR. Did well enough on CFA. Had HS athletics and club participation. No guarantees!