Eagle Project

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CAscione-Cesario

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My son is applying to USNA for Class of 2029. He has already finished and submitted his Congressional Nomination Applications, Qualified for CFA and his medicals, all LORs are submitted, but we are waiting for him to complete his project and become an Eagle Scout before getting the activities LOR sent and submitting the final application. I saw that the earlier he submits the better. My question is if he completes it now, prior to becoming an Eagle Scout, will he be able to change it once he's done? Or should he just wait until it is completed (estimated Nov 1.)? Any insight would be helpful! Thanks!
 
For nominations, as I tell my students, it doesn't hurt to send in a 'late' update, as the worst result is 'they' ignore it. If the MoC conducts interviews, then your son can bring the 'news' to the interview, perhaps with a copy of the Eagle certificate or similar. The same is true for all of the SAs. Your son should update his admissions' counselors with the good news when it happens, even if it is 'past' the deadline of January 31, 2025.

By the way, I am also an Eagle Scout so I am pleased to hear the great news! Best of luck.
 
The applications to USNA and the MOC NOM are separate activities. Some MOC indicate you can only submit ALL of your information one time and no updates are permitted. (I assume it makes it easier for them to compile the information due to the large number of applicants.) For those it makes sense to wait to submit your information until you have the best possible information, but certainly keep to their timeline. USNA allows updates to the application if there are new/different items to submit, so we are talking about two different things. Applying early to USNA provides more time to revolve any type of medical waivers that might be required. However, it isn't like standing in line for some sold-out concert. The same criteria applies for being considered 3Q if you are the first or last to submit your application.
 
I don’t think Scouts is viewed the same these days as it was in year’s past. It’s not the same organization anymore.

The bigger picture is doing something and sticking with it. It shows you can commit to something and have determination.
 
Edmund said:
I don’t think Scouts is viewed the same these days as it was in year’s past. It’s not the same organization anymore.
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This is really not the Forum for this debate.. Regardless of how you view changes in Scouting, it is still one of the premier youth development organizations in the world, and the experience of leadership opportunities, goal setting and perseverance is invaluable. Many of the troubles that Scouting has faced have nothing to do with the youth experience. (And yes, this is first hand knowledge -- I am an Eagle Scout, Class of 1977, and served 10+ years on my local Council Board, including Council President through the three worst years in Scouting history (Bankruptcy and COVID).

I can't tell you what impact the changes have on how Eagle Scout is viewed by USNA Admissions, but can say that earning your Eagle Scout is better than not. My recommendation for OP is to ensure applications clearly reference on track to complete Eagle Scout, and when Board of Review is complete, update with report that it has been earned.

For others ..don't put yourself in the position and get it done well before Senior year. I'm not advocating for the "Race to Eagle" that has become so prevalent these days, but don't delay ...I've heard of too many that put it off until too late. Of course, even participating in Scouting is better than not, but I often tell those that are procrastinating or stalled that nobody will care if they were a Life Scout 30 years from now.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
This is really not the Forum for this debate.
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What debate?
Old Navy BGO said:
Regardless of how you view changes in Scouting, it is still one of the premier youth development organizations in the world, and the experience of leadership opportunities, goal setting and perseverance is invaluable. Many of the troubles that Scouting has faced have nothing to do with the youth experience. (And yes, this is first hand knowledge -- I am an Eagle Scout, Class of 1977, and served 10+ years on my local Council Board, including Council President through the three worst years in Scouting history (Bankruptcy and COVID).

I can't tell you what impact the changes have on how Eagle Scout is viewed by USNA Admissions, but can say that earning your Eagle Scout is better than not. My recommendation for OP is to ensure applications clearly reference on track to complete Eagle Scout, and when Board of Review is complete, update with report that it has been earned.

For others ..don't put yourself in the position and get it done well before Senior year. I'm not advocating for the "Race to Eagle" that has become so prevalent these days, but don't delay ...I've heard of too many that put it off until too late. Of course, even participating in Scouting is better than not, but I often tell those that are procrastinating or stalled that nobody will care if they were a Life Scout 30 years from now.
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Not sure about all that, but the big picture is what admissions has told me on several occasions. What they like to see are kids doing something and sticking with it. Whether it is scouting, Sea Cadets, or sports, staying with it to the end shows that you can commit to something and see it through to completion. It demonstrates determination, commitment, and grit.
 
CAscione-Cesario said:
My son is applying to USNA for Class of 2029. He has already finished and submitted his Congressional Nomination Applications, Qualified for CFA and his medicals, all LORs are submitted, but we are waiting for him to complete his project and become an Eagle Scout before getting the activities LOR sent and submitting the final application. I saw that the earlier he submits the better. My question is if he completes it now, prior to becoming an Eagle Scout, will he be able to change it once he's done? Or should he just wait until it is completed (estimated Nov 1.)? Any insight would be helpful! Thanks!
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I do not have the most experience with nominations as I am still navigating the process as well, but as an Eagle Scout, congratulations on his achievement.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
For others ..don't put yourself in the position and get it done well before Senior year. I'm not advocating for the "Race to Eagle" that has become so prevalent these days, but don't delay ...I've heard of too many that put it off until too late. Of course, even participating in Scouting is better than not, but I often tell those that are procrastinating or stalled that nobody will care if they were a Life Scout 30 years from now.
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I am an Eagle Scout, class of 2024, and now a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. I got my Eagle in 9th grade and I completely agree with @Old Navy BGO's sentiment regarding leaving getting your Eagle too late. One of my duties is advising those who are close to getting their Eagle about their project and related processes. I have seen way too many Eagles leave their paperwork and project too late and aging out before they finish. In my experience, it is best to get to Life as soon as possible. Getting the paperwork done can be slightly complicated and time consuming so it is better to start and finish as soon as possible to alleviate that possibility.
 
CAscione-Cesario said:
My son is applying to USNA for Class of 2029. He has already finished and submitted his Congressional Nomination Applications, Qualified for CFA and his medicals, all LORs are submitted, but we are waiting for him to complete his project and become an Eagle Scout before getting the activities LOR sent and submitting the final application. I saw that the earlier he submits the better. My question is if he completes it now, prior to becoming an Eagle Scout, will he be able to change it once he's done? Or should he just wait until it is completed (estimated Nov 1.)? Any insight would be helpful! Thanks!
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My DS fully completed his USMA/USNA applications before he completed his Eagle requirements during his senior year of H.S. I had been pushing him to finish it prior to submitting his application, but he hadn't made it a priority. However, he met with his USMA district representative who reviewed his file and told him that he had already maxed the leadership points for USMA and getting his Eagle would not boost his application. On the USNA side, he got an LOA and his appointment in December of his senior year, followed by the USMA appointment in January. Of course, it was still important to him to finish and earn the Eagle Rank, which he did in April of his senior year. He truly loved his years of scouting!
 
My son updated all his apps (SA's and noms) with his Eagle status and all acknowledged receipt of the updates. Now at USMA and will be sponsoring a troop for Camporee this year! #scoutforlife
 
bethf said:
My son updated all his apps (SA's and noms) with his Eagle status and all acknowledged receipt of the updates. Now at USMA and will be sponsoring a troop for Camporee this year! #scoutforlife
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Love it!! Are you talking about the Camporee hosted at West Point?
 
OrionVII said:
Its supposed to be amazing!! I met a couple guys at National Jamboree who raved about it.
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My son never went as a Scout, but through the grapevine he learned of a troop (that he's not connected to) that needed a sponsor, so he stepped up. One of those scout leaders said they had been trying to get into the Camporee for 3 years! Should be a fun time.
 
One recommendation for those doing the Eagle Scout project -- give it some thought in terms of what you do and how you present it. I always ask candidates who earned Eagle Scout about their project. You would be amazed at the number with whom the dialogue goes something like this:

Me: Tell me about your Eagle Scout project

Candidate: I built a park bench

Me: Why did you choose that as your project

Candidate: I needed something to do / I couldn't think of anything else and this seemed like something I could do fairly quickly/easily

Me: Did you see a need for a bench in that park?

Candidate: Not really, but a park can always use an extra bench

---

I'm not making this up. I've condensed a lot of responses over the years, but the concept is the same. A lot of building things in parks (benches, bridges, flower gardens). I love benches in parks, but it's not what comes to mind when I think of an ES project.

Too many candidates seem (to me) not to have focused on doing something needed, something challenging. It seemed more about whatever they could do to check the box. I will emphasize that not every Eagle Scout I spoke to had this approach, but IMHO, too many did.

Whether with the BGO or the MOC nom committee, be prepared to discuss why you chose your project, how it was impactful, how it required determination, perseverance and effort, etc. To me at least, that is what is meaningful, not simply that you achieved Eagle Scout.

As an aside, I say the same things about team captains or club presidents. Show me you are leading, not just that you won a popularity context.
 
usna1985 said:
One recommendation for those doing the Eagle Scout project -- give it some thought in terms of what you do and how you present it. I always ask candidates who earned Eagle Scout about their project. You would be amazed at the number with whom the dialogue goes something like this:

Me: Tell me about your Eagle Scout project

Candidate: I built a park bench

Me: Why did you choose that as your project

Candidate: I needed something to do / I couldn't think of anything else and this seemed like something I could do fairly quickly/easily

Me: Did you see a need for a bench in that park?

Candidate: Not really, but a park can always use an extra bench

---

I'm not making this up. I've condensed a lot of responses over the years, but the concept is the same. A lot of building things in parks (benches, bridges, flower gardens). I love benches in parks, but it's not what comes to mind when I think of an ES project.

Too many candidates seem (to me) not to have focused on doing something needed, something challenging. It seemed more about whatever they could do to check the box. I will emphasize that not every Eagle Scout I spoke to had this approach, but IMHO, too many did.

Whether with the BGO or the MOC nom committee, be prepared to discuss why you chose your project, how it was impactful, how it required determination, perseverance and effort, etc. To me at least, that is what is meaningful, not simply that you achieved Eagle Scout.

As an aside, I say the same things about team captains or club presidents. Show me you are leading, not just that you won a popularity context.
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I completely agree. I have seen this quite a bit as well.
 
usna1985 said:
One recommendation for those doing the Eagle Scout project -- give it some thought in terms of what you do and how you present it. I always ask candidates who earned Eagle Scout about their project. You would be amazed at the number with whom the dialogue goes something like this:

Me: Tell me about your Eagle Scout project

Candidate: I built a park bench

Me: Why did you choose that as your project

Candidate: I needed something to do / I couldn't think of anything else and this seemed like something I could do fairly quickly/easily

Me: Did you see a need for a bench in that park?

Candidate: Not really, but a park can always use an extra bench

---

I'm not making this up. I've condensed a lot of responses over the years, but the concept is the same. A lot of building things in parks (benches, bridges, flower gardens). I love benches in parks, but it's not what comes to mind when I think of an ES project.

Too many candidates seem (to me) not to have focused on doing something needed, something challenging. It seemed more about whatever they could do to check the box. I will emphasize that not every Eagle Scout I spoke to had this approach, but IMHO, too many did.

Whether with the BGO or the MOC nom committee, be prepared to discuss why you chose your project, how it was impactful, how it required determination, perseverance and effort, etc. To me at least, that is what is meaningful, not simply that you achieved Eagle Scout.

As an aside, I say the same things about team captains or club presidents. Show me you are leading, not just that you won a popularity context.
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One thing that grates me is the projects that are landscaping with zero plan to upkeep. Some scouts in my son's troop had projects that involved laying some mulch, planting annuals (not even perennials!) and then never going back. A year later (heck, even 2 months later) the areas are overgrown with no trace of any work being done. I cannot imagine how they get approved by the council. Nothing learned, nothing added to the community.
 
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