Improving NROTC Application

I don't dispute but am puzzled by the seemingly high importance the SA places on being "selected" to Boy's State (even though we don't know how much). I would think that the criteria Boy's State uses would be things like grades, class rank, community service; i.e., things the SA can assess themselves from a candidate's application? Just for discussion, what am I missing?
 
Jeepman said:
If you just turned 17, by all means join the BSA. You will have your work cut out for you, but it is possible to still become an Eagle Scout if you affiliate with the right BSA group/troop
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Seriously, if the OP can complete the requirements for Eagle in less than 12 months (while also doing all the academics and sports), he certainly deserves to be admitted to an Academy. Most Eagles take several years to amass the following:
  • earn 21 merit badges,
  • serve as a leader of his troop for at least six months,
  • participate in a scoutmaster conference,
  • submit and complete a Service Project,
  • secure five LOR's
  • prepare for and pass the Board of Review
While the above perhaps can be done in less than a year, I implore the OP not to take any shortcuts that devalue the integrity and worth of the Eagle Scout title.
 
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Jeepman said:
If you just turned 17, by all means join the BSA. You will have your work cut out for you, but it is possible to still become an Eagle Scout if you affiliate with the right BSA group/troop. I disagree it will look like you "checked a box". If you make Eagle Scout, you will have a great story to tell. Go for it! And be careful of the naysayers on the board here.
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I would say making Eagle from scratch in 1 or 2 years is virtually impossible.
 
I stand corrected and had my math wrong. If you just turned 16, you could do it. 17 would not work. My apologies for the math hiccup!
 
kinnem said:
Agree with AROTCDad. Focus on Boys State. Call your local American Legion post to find out how to participate.My son did Boy's State and had a great time.
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I have recently been selected for Boys State. I couple questions:

-You said your son did boys state... What was it like?
-How will boys state better my application?

Thank you so much for the feedback
 
doireann said:
My son did Boys State last summer. He enjoyed it. Just waiting on any hopefully results now.
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I have recently been selected for Boys State. I couple questions:

-You said your son did boys state... What was it like?
-How will boys state better my application?

Thank you so much for the feedback
 
AROTC-dad said:
Jeepman said:
If you just turned 17, by all means join the BSA. You will have your work cut out for you, but it is possible to still become an Eagle Scout if you affiliate with the right BSA group/troop
Click to expand...

Seriously, if the OP can complete the requirements for Eagle in less than 12 months (while also doing all the academics and sports), he certainly deserves to be admitted to an Academy. Most Eagles take several years to amass the following:
  • earn 21 merit badges,
  • serve as a leader of his troop for at least six months,
  • participate in a scoutmaster conference,
  • submit and complete a Service Project,
  • secure five LOR's
  • prepare for and pass the Board of Review
While the above perhaps can be done in less than a year, I implore the OP not to take any shortcuts that devalue the integrity and worth of the Eagle Scout title.
Click to expand...
Boy Scout ranks require a tenure period which prevents a last-moment sprint for Eagle. There are several merit badges requiring 30+ days to complete. To say nothing of the community service project.
 
6 months between 1st Class and Star, 6 months between Star & Life, 6 months between Life and Eagle. Those are required minimum service between ranks. A just-turned 16 year old Might be able to get Eagle (Board of Review before 18) but seems highly unlikely.
 
kinnem said:
I would say making Eagle from scratch in 1 or 2 years is virtually impossible.
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Not only is it impossible it is out right a trophy pursuit. Most Academy admissions will see that right through. Eagle Rank takes at least 3 years to do it with proper experience and leadership roles. 3 years is considered a fast track. Most achieve Eagle in 4-5. It’s not meant to be a sprint achievement but dedication and learning through trials and triumph.

However, you can at 16 pursue a Summit Award Rank in Venture Crew. You can do this in 2 years. In fact you are allowed to achieve it until short of turning 21. I know USNA and NROTC give Candidates boys and Girls similar status as Eagle on the App. You have another area you can tick for this Award Rank and position you held such as President and Vice President.

I strongly encourage joining Venturing and achieving the Summit Award for teens who are 16+.
 
AROTC-dad said:
Those are helpful and are indeed community service, but what really is considered "leadership" are Class Officer positions, Captain of the Swim team, President of the _____ Club, Eagle Scout, Boy's State or Boy's Nation. etc. etc.

So, you have done some good community service but have not demonstrated leadership based on the above.
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I think I respectfully disagree - being a lifeguard and teaching swim lessons may be paid jobs, but both require skills above and beyond what would be required at many other jobs typically held by teens. Both require maturity, compassion, and initiative - I think both positions can be considered ways of demonstrating leadership. My DD was not captain of any sports team, and didn't even participate in her Varsity sport senior year, but she still won a four-year. It might be helpful to focus in your essay on how your leadership skills developed as a result of learning and growth achieved by holding these jobs.
 
Daylen86 said:
Alright thanks for the feedback. Is it too late to join Boy Scouts (I am 17). And I am being payed to teach swim lessons but the tutoring club is just service.
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Join BSA Venturing and get a position of VP in something. You’re too old to start Boy Scout! It is meaningless to start now. But Boy Scout’s Venture Crew is the right age for you. It is for ages 14-21. NROTC and USNA will give you meaningful credit for Venturing and VP role. This is right at your peer level.
 
AROTC-dad said:
Joining Scouts now, would look like a blatant attempt to just "check the box."

At this point, it may be possible to get nominated by your local American Legion for Boy's State.
I would focus on that, along with moving to a leadership or management position in the programs you already participate in. Even if you are paid, being a supervisor or manager of the program can be considered leadership.

Keep up the great grades and check on your class rank.

Is it too late to join your Varsity Swim team?? A letter in Varsity Sports also helps.
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Thank you for mentioning Boys States, I had never heard of it before. A month ago my counselor mentioned it and it rang a bell so I signed up for an interview. I recently was selected to be apart of boys states this summer.

A couple questions:

What should I expect to learn at Boys State?

How will this improve my application?

Thanks so much and I also switched for navy option to marine option recently.
 
Boys State, as I understand it, focuses on government, civics, and leadership. I'm sure someone else can explain that better.
There is a checkbox on the academy application for Boy's State, Eagle Scot, etc.... so its worth some points in the whole person score. Evidently the academy values it or the checkbox wouldn't be there.
 
kinnem said:
Boys State, as I understand it, focuses on government, civics, and leadership. I'm sure someone else can explain that better.
There is a checkbox on the academy application for Boy's State, Eagle Scot, etc.... so its worth some points in the whole person score. Evidently the academy values it or the checkbox wouldn't be there.
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Besides being a grad of Boy's State (back when the earth was still cooling), I am a Trustee of my States's Boy's State foundation and I am a staff member at our Boy's State where we will have just under a thousand statesmen in June of this year. Although curricula may vary a bit, it is primarily a course in government from local through county and then through statewide. After learning a little about local government, the groups elect their own leaders - in the roles of municipalities in our state so Mayor, council, etc and those leaders then operate the groups (cities) as they move onto learning about counties and then the same thing repeats. Once again, it repeats for state. We intersperse the political stuff with presentations on careers of many types as well as a college fair with hundreds of colleges present.
We operate the Boy's State on the campus of a university so for many of the High School juniors who are attending, this is their first time living in a college type atmosphere and that too is good practice for what is come come following graduation.
 
Daylen86 said:
doireann said:
My son did Boys State last summer. He enjoyed it. Just waiting on any hopefully results now.
Click to expand...

I have recently been selected for Boys State. I couple questions:

-You said your son did boys state... What was it like?
-How will boys state better my application?

Thank you so much for the feedback
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It will show leadership qualities.

He thought Boys state was ok. It was just a week and not too far from home.
 
My son had similar questions about Boys State before he went last summer. He ended up loving it. You’ll get out of it what you put into it. Run for leadership positions and be involved when you’re there. It will end up being a great experience regardless of where you end up attending college. And as was said above, there is a specific box to check for Boys State on the application so you can reasonably assume admissions looks favorably upon it.
 
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