eagle scout application essay

How To Write An Eagle Scout Statement of Ambition & Life Purpose

Before you can begin Eagle Scout rank requirement 7 and hold your final board of review, you’ll be tasked with writing a comprehensive essay that discusses your long-term goals and values. This piece of writing, which must be submitted with your Eagle rank application, is called a Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose!

What is an Eagle Scout Statement of Ambitions And Life Purpose? An Eagle Scout Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose is a short essay, written by an Eagle Scout candidate, that describes their goals, values, and mindsets. Often, these statements are about 500 words in length and are broken into 4 parts: Intro, short-term goals, long-term goals, and life purpose.

PS. This article is based on the experiences and research of Eagle Scout, Kevin A and Cole  🙂

While most Eagle Scouts (myself at the time, included!) usually aren’t aware that they even need to write this essay until the last minute, it’s actually an incredibly important thing to do. Why? Well, the Chair of your final Eagle Scout Board of Review will be reading your Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose and asking you questions, accordingly!

Additionally, writing a Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose gives you the chance to start thinking about your life’s vision. What do you hope to give to the world? Where do you see yourself in 3 years? These are all very important questions, and this essay might be one of the first times in your life where you’re directly asked to critically think about what you want your future to hold!

Plus, your Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose is a great foundation upon which you can write an amazing Eagle Scout college application . (Click the link for my ultimate guide to getting Eagle Scout college acceptances) Kill two birds with one stone by using this statement to outline your thoughts for college and beyond! Trust me, my own Eagle Statement of Ambitions really set my sights in the right direction. I promise it’ll help you too if you put a lot of thought into it, dig deep, and keep an open mind.

With all that being said, you’re probably wondering how to write a great essay of your own. Not to fear! In this article, I’ll be using my own Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose essay as an example to get your writing juices flowing! Then, I’ll give you some questions to reflect on, so you can make your essay even better than mine was. 😉

My Example Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose Essay

First, take a second to read through my example essay. This is a bit shorter than the typical essay of 500 words (2 double-spaced pages), but it should give you a good idea of what’s required. Then, in the following sections, we’ll be reviewing each component, from the introduction to your life vision, so that you can create an incredible statement of your own!

Without further ado, here’s Kevin and my example Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose:

1. Introduction: “Reflecting back, as I’m now applying for Eagle, the highest rank in Scouting, I realize just how far I’ve come. Not only have I learned how to light a fire with a single match, tie a bowline around myself with one hand, and sell ungodly amounts of Trail’s End popcorn — no, Scouting had given me much more. Scouting has given me the core values and principles that I now carry with me through my life.”  2. Short Term Goals: “In my high school life, I am planning on taking two Advanced Placement courses: AP Environmental Science and AP English Language and Composition. These courses, though challenging, will hopefully help me expand my knowledge into areas that I may be interested in pursuing while at college.”  “My next big hurdle comes in the form of college applications. Between club responsibilities, AP classes, Scouting, and friends, I’ll be hard-pressed to find the time. However, like earning Eagle, nothing worthwhile comes easy. To achieve my short term goals I’ll set a schedule, make a plan, and check things off one requirement at a time.” 3. Long-Term Goals “Upon graduating from high school, I want to attend a four-year college within the University of California system. I have not decided what studies to pursue in college, but I am leaning towards majoring in the chemistry field.”  “In college, I hope to develop the skills and connections to land a chemical engineering job where I can directly help others. I want a comfortable salary, and the expertise to have my ideas be heard within the workforce. I won’t be satisfied simply remaining a follower in my field and intend to lead others to help bring about breakthroughs that improve human wellbeing.” 4. Life Purpose “My ultimate vision for life is to become an individual who lifts others up. Growing up an only child, I always felt best whenever I was able to contribute to the people around me. Whether it’s making scientific breakthroughs, leading a team, or even teaching scouts, my life’s purpose will always be to do good for others.” “Although my specific goals will probably change as I grow older and experience the world from a different perspective, I know that the values I learned from Scouting will forever remain in my mind and heart. Regardless of what I end up doing, while I’m doing it I’ll be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” 

If you’ve read through our essay, by now you should have a few ideas bouncing around your head about what to write in your own Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose. Write them down ASAP! Those ideas will serve as your essay’s foundations. 🙂

Now if you’re like most teens, you might instead be thinking, “I’m worried that I won’t be able to stick to my goals and ambitions that I wrote down because I’m not sure what I truly want to do with my life!” Yup, I’ve been there too. However, if this is something you’re worried about, don’t fret! 

• Firstly, your Eagle Board of Review team won’t be making you promise to fulfill every single goal you set in your essay, as they realize that most Eagle Scout applicants (and most teens in general) don’t have everything figured out in terms of their life goals.
• Secondly, in the following sections, I’ve prepared some questions for you that might give you a better idea of your actual ambitions and life purpose!

Here’s a tip: When reading the questions we pose, take your time. Try to think critically and come up with any answer. Then, ask yourself, “is my answer true, for me?” If it isn’t, question why you thought of it. Ask if it’s true in any way.

Doing this exercise will help you succeed in one of the most important areas of your life: knowing yourself . Now, it’s time to read through a detailed breakdown of our essay and answer the questions we’ve posed so that you can create an amazing statement of your own! Let’s go!

Introducing Your Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose

Your introductory paragraph should go over some of the most impactful experiences you’ve had in Scouting thus far, as well as what you’ve learned from those experiences. Some experiences you can highlight are times when you acted as a leader, times where you learned an important value, or even things that you learned in Scouting that you’ve applied to a situation outside of Scouting. 

The important part here is to consider what you’ve learned from your Scouting career (Hopefully, a lot). The Eagle Rank is the highest rank in Scouting, and with it comes a wealth of experiences and wisdom that you’ve had to learn along the way. Here is how I chose to tie in what I learned from Scouting: 

“Reflecting back, as I’m now applying for Eagle, the highest rank in Scouting, I realize just how far I’ve come. Not only have I learned how to light a fire with a single match, tie a bowline around myself with one hand, and sell ungodly amounts of Trail’s End popcorn — no, Scouting had given me much more. Scouting has given me the core values and principles that I now carry with me through my life.” 

Your introduction shouldn’t be long-winded, as you’ll have many other parts of your essay to get into more detail. Keeping it brief and to the point will likely be the most effective approach to completing your introduction. When writing your intro, here are a few questions you could ask yourself:

Introductory Questions to Consider

• What part of the Scout Oath and Law means the most to you? How have you lived by it in your Scouting and non-Scouting life? 
• What is a specific Scouting experience you’ve had where you’ve learned something of great value? What did you learn? How did you end up learning it? 
• How have you most changed from when you were a new Scout?  Think back to who you were, as a person, when just entering Scouting.
• When you hear the word “Scouting,” what comes to mind? Why?

Short-Term Goals for High School 

The focus of your next section should be the goals you’d like to complete before finishing high school. These short-term goals can be academic (like getting all A’s), extracurricular (Like making varsity), or even personally-related (such as a hobby, interest, or side-business).

This section can also be used to describe how to plan to achieve these goals. Success comes from making solid plans and then executing on them, so make sure you think about how to achieve your goals. This way they won’t just be dreams! Here’s how I wrote about my high school goals:

“In my high school life, I am planning on taking two Advanced Placement courses: AP Environmental Science and AP English Language and Composition. These courses, though challenging, will hopefully help me expand my knowledge into areas that I may be interested in pursuing while at college.”  “My next big hurdle comes in the form of college applications. Between club responsibilities, AP classes, Scouting, and friends, I’ll be hard-pressed to find the time. However, like earning Eagle, nothing worthwhile comes easy. To achieve my short term goals I’ll set a schedule, make a plan, and check things off one requirement at a time.”

While I highly encourage you to talk about your extracurricular or personal goals as well, I’d highly recommend that you mention your high school academics in some way when writing this section.

Even if you don’t have plans to continue your education after high school, the main point of this part of your life is likely to become educated and graduate with your high school diploma. As such, a portion of this section should be dedicated to discussing your academics (it could even be one sentence stating that you plan on finishing high school!). 

Short-term Questions to Consider 

• Are there any classes you want to take before you graduate, such as any AP or IB classes? Why do you want to take these classes? How do you think they could help in your future?
• Do you have any goals you want to complete in your extracurricular activities? How can you take on more leadership in your teams, clubs, and community service groups?
• Are there any personal interests you’ve developed while in high school that might steer you towards a certain career?  Consider things you’re good at, love doing, and might make you money.

Long-Term Goals For After Graduation

This section focuses on your long-term plans after graduating from high school. There are many avenues you could pursue after your graduation! Will you be going to a trade school? The military? Continuing your education by attending a four-year university or a community college? Heading straight to the workforce? The possibilities are endless! 🙂

I’d recommend considering how you want your life after high school to look (especially since it’ll be happening eventually). Think not just about continued education, but also the values and jobs you’ll be taking on. Here’s how I discussed my own plans in this section of my Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose:

“Upon graduating from high school, I want to attend a four-year college within the University of California system. I have not decided what studies to pursue in college, but I am leaning towards majoring in the chemistry field.”  “In college, I hope to develop the skills and connections to land a chemical engineering job where I can directly help others. I want a comfortable salary, and the expertise to have my ideas be heard within the workforce. I won’t be satisfied simply remaining a follower in my field and intend to lead others to help bring about breakthroughs that improve human wellbeing.”

This section gives you a lot of freedom to express yourself; you can go into as much detail as you’d like when explaining your post-graduate plans. For example, if you’re sure that you want to enter a trade school, feel free to talk about the steps you’re going to take in order to get trained, certified, and hired for the trade of choice! 

Since you’ll be earning your Eagle Rank soon, it’s vital that you learn how to Properly List Eagle Scout On Your Resume . Not only does this improve your odds of landing a job and getting into a good school, it’ll also help you to more effectively describe your Scouting experiences (and learn from them, too)!

Here’s a Tip: Be realistic, but also dream big! Since in this section you can talk about your desired career, feel free to set a big, hairy, audacious goal (I call this a BHAG). Setting a huge, motivating goal for your future can spur you into action and help you to accomplish anything!

With your BHAG in mind, here are a few questions to consider that can point you in the right direction when writing this section:

Long-term Questions to Consider 

• If you’re planning on entering the workforce, what type of job are you looking for? What steps might you take to increase your chances of being hired for the position you’re interested in? 
• If you’re planning on joining the military, what branch of the military are you interested in joining? Why do you want to join this section of the military? 
• If you’re planning on going to trade school, what type of trade interests you? Do you know any schools that excel in teaching this trade? Do you want to start your own business with this trade or join an existing company? 
• If you’re planning on continuing your education, will you be going to a community college or a four-year university? What do you want to get out of your continued education, and how will you make it happen?
• If none of these options apply to you, what will you be doing? Do you have plans to do one of the previous options eventually or are you planning on sticking to your original plans for a long time? 
• In a perfect world, where do you see yourself in 5 years? What do you want to (and not want to ) be doing?

Your Life’s Purpose and Values

The final section of your Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose should be used to describe your ultimate life’s vision. What do you really want out of life? Good topics to consider for this section could include plans about a future family, community involvement, and bucket-list experiences.

One thing you should try to mention in this section is how you plan to use the lessons you’ve learned from Scouting when you’re older. You don’t have to promise to return to Scouting in the future (although if you do see yourself volunteering, be sure to mention it), but you should try to discuss how you’ll use what you’ve learned to better the world.

Here is how I chose to describe my life’s purpose and values: 

“My ultimate vision for life is to become an individual who lifts others up. Growing up an only child, I always felt best whenever I was able to contribute to the people around me. Whether it’s making scientific breakthroughs, leading a team, or even teaching Scouts, my life’s vision will always be to do good for others.” “Although my specific goals will probably change as I grow older and experience the world from a different perspective, I know that the values I learned from Scouting will forever remain in my mind and heart. Regardless of what I end up doing, while I’m doing it I’ll be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” 

If you’re having trouble figuring out how to write this last section, keep in mind that your goals are only half of the question. Consider what values you feel are most important to you as well. What brings purpose and meaning to your life? There’s no right or wrong answer here, so feel free to expand on these points as much as you’d like! 

You can honestly take any direction you’d like when writing about your life’s purpose, but I’d recommend asking yourself the following questions to first gain some clarity:

Life Purpose Questions to Consider 

• Think about when you’ll be 30-40 years old. What do you picture your life will be like at that age? What will you have accomplished? What part of doing that will make you happy?
• How will you stay involved with your family when you’re older? Do you have plans on eventually having a family of your own? 
• What would you most like to do in your free time? Do you plan to travel, volunteer, or maybe even do something else?
• How will you stay involved in your community when you’re older? How close do you want to be with others in your community? Do you want to be a mentor? 
• If you could assign yourself a life ‘theme,’ what would it be? Some ideas include creativity, integrity, resourcefulness, or anything else you can come up with. How will you embody this theme in your life purpose?

Conclusion 

Although the ideas you’ll cover in your Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose will likely change as you get older, I really encourage you to be as detailed as possible when writing your essay. Believe me, when you’re older you’ll look back on this essay and appreciate the glimpse it gives you into your life right now!

Your Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose is essentially a time capsule of your teenage self, so it’s vital to do it right. By using the structure we covered in this article, and asking yourself important questions about how you want your life to look, I’m sure you’ll create an awesome essay! 🙂

Chances are this won’t be the last essay you write. In fact, your Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose may just be the start of an awesome college application essay! To make your college goals a reality, check out my complete guide to Writing An Eagle Scout College Essay That Gets You Accepted .

Congrats on making it to the end of this article, as well as for your upcoming Eagle Rank! Hope to see you back at ScoutSmarts again soon and, until next time, be the best individual you can be!

I'm constantly writing new content because I believe in Scouts like you! Thanks so much for reading, and for making our world a better place. Until next time, I'm wishing you all the best on your journey to Eagle and beyond!

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How To Write The Eagle Statement of Ambitions

Home » How To Write The Eagle Statement of Ambitions

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post Don’t Forget – Most Commonly Skipped Eagle Requirement , which talked a bit about how to write the Eagle Statement of Ambitions.  I want to expound on that requirement a little bit today.

I have served as an District Eagle Coach and have sat on hundreds of boards of review and read the Statements of Ambition for those Eagle candidates over the years.  I can honestly say that all of them are very different.  This is one of the funnest things for board members to read and it gives them insight to what kind of scout and person the candidate is.  It is very obvious that some candidates have spent the minimum amount of time writing and thinking about what they put in that statement.  Some are very thoughtful.

I remember one in particular had a statement that said he wanted to be the President of the United States.  I thought, wow!  What a bold statement from a 17 year-old.  When he came in for the review, we asked him about it. He was very serious and we found out that he had plans to make that happen.

You should think of your board of review like a job interview.  You are trying to show the board that you are the right candidate for the job, which is attaining the rank of Eagle.

Your Statement of Ambitions should be a minimum of two pages. The first page should be a double-spaced typed letter of what you want to do with the rest of your life.  This should be really easy for scouts to write.  I think of the movie “A Christmas Story,” when Ralphie is in school and his teacher tells them they need to write a theme.  They all moan!  Then when she tells them the topic, “What I Want For Christmas,” they all get very excited and want to do the assignment.  Scouts should feel the same way about this “theme.”

I have seen scouts write as little as 2 sentences or as much as 3 pages.  It should be 1-2 pages.  Also, you should use the spell checker on your computer and have your mom, dad, or scout leader proofread it to polish it up to look good before it is turned in with your paperwork.

This first page is where most scouts stop. That is only half of the requirement.  It also says to include a list of any leadership positions you have held over your scouting time in anything.  This includes school, band, church, work, anywhere!

Also, you need to include any awards you received while serving in these leadership roles.  If you earned your Duty to God at church, list it.  If you won high honors in your band at school, list it.  Basically this is a “brag sheet” of all your accomplishments while you were a leader.  Most scouts either forget to add this or don’t feel comfortable bragging about themselves.

In the real world when people are interviewing for jobs, they present a resume to potential employers to show off their skills and list all the great things that they know and have done.  This distinguishes them from all the other job candidates and proves they have the necessary skills to be there and do the job.  An Eagle Board of Review is no different.  You are a candidate for the Eagle Rank at the time of your board.  Present yourself it the best possible light.

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Eagle Scout Requirement 6: Attach to this application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference with your unit leader.

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How to Write an Eagle Scout Personal Statement

An important part of becoming an Eagle Scout is writing a personal statement of your goals, ambitions and leadership skills. Your statement has to be included with your application to the Eagle Scout board of review. This should be an enjoyable and inspiring activity as you think about your life path so far and what you most want to do with your life. You may be surprised one day to see how inspiring this statement can be, so make sure you save a copy for yourself.

Life Purpose and Ambitions

Begin your personal statement by describing what your ambitions are for the future and what you believe your purpose in life is. If you already know what you want your life to be about, this may be easy. For others, it may seem like a difficult task. Get advice from friends, family and teachers but when it comes time to write it down, it should be your ideas. Find a quiet place and give it some serious thought. Try writing a rough copy just for yourself, jotting down what comes to mind, and exploring what you want and don't want your life to be about. Use the ideas you discover in the rough copy to create a good copy for submission.

Leadership Positions

After describing your life purpose and ambitions, list the positions you have had that demonstrate leadership skills. These may be positions you've had at school, church, summer camp or anywhere else. For example, if your teacher asked you to help a younger child with his reading, this could be something to include. If it's hard to remember, think about any time you did more than what was expected of you, when you took additional responsibilities or when you were able to help someone in need.

Include Awards and Other Honors

In addition to leadership positions, include any honors or awards you received. This doesn't have to be a separate section; add them when you describe your leadership positions. Like everything else in your personal statement, these should be the things that matter to you most. If you won first prize at the science fair, this may be something you want to include. If you spent an afternoon getting a lost dog to its rightful owner, you probably didn't get a trophy -- but perhaps the smile of gratitude was an honor to you just the same.

Things to Consider

The Boy Scouts of America doesn't say how long a personal statement should be or how it should be written. It's important the statement is in your own words and it reflects an honest effort. If you don't think something is important, you don't have to include it. Spelling and grammar are important, so approach a personal statement as you would a school paper. Use spellcheck if you are writing it on a computer. If you want to write it by hand, make sure it's neat and legible. Read it over a couple of times to make sure it's your best work.

• National Eagel Scout Association: Notable Eagle Scouts
• Boy Scouts of America: Eagle Rank Requirements

A published author and professional speaker, David Weedmark has advised businesses and governments on technology, media and marketing for more than 20 years. He has taught computer science at Algonquin College, has started three successful businesses, and has written hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines throughout Canada and the United States.

Home — Application Essay — National Universities — An Eagle Scout Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose

An Eagle Scout Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose

• University: Columbia University

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Words: 686 |

Published: Feb 15, 2024

Words: 686 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, the foundation of character and leadership, the growth mindset and lifelong learning, service to others and community impact, leadership development and inspiring others, transferring scouting skills to academic excellence.

As I reflect upon my journey towards becoming an Eagle Scout, I am reminded of the transformative power of scouting in shaping my character, leadership skills, and commitment to service. This prestigious rank, the highest achievement within the Boy Scouts of America, represents not only personal growth but also a dedication to serving others. Today, I proudly stand as a college student, eager to share my story of perseverance, community engagement, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence. With this essay, I aim to convey my unique experiences and demonstrate how my scouting journey has cultivated within me the skills and values necessary to thrive academically, personally, and socially.

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Scouting has instilled in me a strong foundation of values, ethics, and personal character, essential aspects that have guided me throughout my academic and personal life. From the early stages of scouting, I learned the significance of personal responsibility, integrity, and resilience. Embracing the Scout Oath and Law taught me the importance of always being prepared and trustworthy, principles that I embody in all spheres of my life. By upholding the values of scouting, I have not only gained the trust and respect of my peers and mentors but have also become a role model within my community.

Scouting is a continuous journey of personal growth and discovery, encouraging scouts to embrace challenges and pursue new skills. Through numerous merit badges, I have explored a wide range of subjects, from environmental science and first aid to communication and leadership development. This diverse exposure has fostered a growth mindset within me, enabling me to approach obstacles as opportunities for learning and improvement. By constantly pushing myself to acquire new knowledge and experiences, I have cultivated the adaptability and curiosity necessary to excel in college and beyond.

The heart of scouting lies in its commitment to service. Engaging in community service projects has allowed me to develop empathy and a deep understanding of the needs of others. Whether it was organizing food drives for local shelters, participating in environmental clean-up initiatives, or assisting with disaster relief efforts, each service project has left an indelible impact on both the community and myself. My involvement in such initiatives has not only reinforced my sense of civic responsibility but has also strengthened my ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and lead with empathy.

Scouting has been a catalyst for my personal growth as a leader. Through various leadership positions, such as patrol leader and senior patrol leader, I have honed my ability to guide and inspire others towards a common goal. Understanding the importance of effective communication and mentorship, I have sought to create an environment that fosters growth, empowers individuals, and sparks enthusiasm. By organizing team-building activities and facilitating leadership workshops, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of leadership in shaping individuals and strengthening the fabric of a community.

The skills and values I have acquired through scouting have seamlessly translated into my academic pursuits. The same dedication and discipline I applied to earning merit badges have been instrumental in my ability to balance rigorous coursework, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments. With my leadership and organizational skills, I have spearheaded successful group projects and initiatives, fostering collaboration and achieving shared objectives. Moreover, scouting has instilled within me a steadfast work ethic, enabling me to overcome academic challenges and consistently strive for excellence.

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Becoming an Eagle Scout is not merely a culmination of achievements, but a testament to the transformative power of scouting. Through this journey, I have grown into an individual committed to integrity, personal growth, and selfless service. My experiences in scouting have fostered within me the skills and values that have directly contributed to my academic success, leadership endeavors, and dedication to community engagement. As I embark on the next chapter of my life as a college student, I am confident that the foundation built within the Boy Scouts of America will continue to guide me, empower me, and inspire me to be an agent of positive change in the world.

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Path to Eagle

The Troop 28 Tips — Journey from Life to Eagle Scout & Eagle Service Project tip sheet is a great place for every new Life scout to start. We also recommend that scouts working on Eagle rank export a PDF Eagle application from Scoutbook (see below for details and instructions).

If you are a newer scout and are not yet sure if you are interested in becoming an Eagle scout, you may wish to review some of the Eagle planning resources below to help keep your options open. Some badges are easier to complete than others, so a little advanced planning (or extra thought when choosing from available merit badge programs) help make Eagle rank achievable with a little hard work and determination.

The troop's Eagle resources are current as of the date above. For the most current, authoritative information on Eagle rank requirements including the latest Eagle Project Workbook , please refer to the BSA's Guide to Advancement . For information about the Eagle process, deadlines, and contact information, please check out the NEIC Eagle resource page  or ask a Troop 28 Eagle Coach.

updated January 24, 2022

If you are just starting your Eagle journey, a good place to start is by attending a Trail to Eagle Workshop. Some councils call their programs “Life to Eagle” or “Path to Eagle.” While many families figure out much of this material on their own, or by asking the Troop Eagle Counselor, many councils provide these workshops to help jumpstart the process. Troop 5 in Wilmette has created a summary on their website, Life to Eagle – The Biggest Step in Your Scouting Journey .  Troop 97 also has a good Trail to Eagle: Guide for Life Scouts on their site.

Important! If you attend a program offered by a Council other than your home council (Northeast Illinois Council), make sure you consult the troop's Eagle Scout Mentor and/or the Council's staff to make sure you understand Council-specific requirements for how and when they want material submitted. The requirements should be the same across Councils, but the process and expectations may vary.

Here are two options for Trail to Eagle programs:

• Garden State Council ‘s free Zoom webinars have been announced through December 2021.
• Three Fires Council his historically offered their Life to Eagle program as a workshop during their annual Merit Badge University. During the pandemic, they have also offered this program virtually. They have since made their program available virtually, which you can watch, below:

Three Harbors Council also has a helpful welcome letter and checklist for Life scouts approaching Eagle.

The Eagle Rank requirements include completing certain merit badges, actively participating in a Scouts BSA troop, and completing an Eagle Service Project.

The Eagle service project is the capstone achievement on the path to Eagle. While a Life Scout, scouts must plan, develop, and lead others in a service project that will help a school, a religious institution, nonprofit, or other beneficiary organization in our community. The project idea must be approved by the organization that will benefit from the effort, the Scoutmaster, the troop committee, and the district before you start. You should use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook (see below for details on the “Eagle Scout Workbook”) in planning and meeting this requirement.

Scouts have until their 18th birthday to advance through all the ranks and complete the Eagle rank requirements. Newer scouts may be unsure of whether they are interested in pursuing Eagle, or even in advancement. However, many scouts who stick with scouting for a few years find that they have already completed many of the requirements just by participating and completing merit badges on their own or during summer camps.

You can use this handy Eagle Merit Badge Planner to start thinking about which merit badges you might want to start on, and how to fit them into your busy schedule!  It's helpful to think through the challenges of each of the badges so you can plan them around your school/extracurricular/summer schedules. Some of the Eagle-required badges have requirements that cannot be done through sheer determination (e.g., you can't make 12 weeks go any faster, and you can't just go on a BSA camping trip that involves canoeing or biking on your own). So a little advanced planning goes a long way.

If you are not sure which Eagle-required badges to tackle first, here are some resources to help you decide:

• A good summary of the Eagle-required badges with challenges and suggested approaches for each one ( note: cooking is missing from their list )
• Eagle Coach's How to Earn the Eagle-Required Merit Badges (including which ones are good candidates for summer camp vs. self-study)
• Centerville Troop 557's guide to Three Merit Badges Requiring 3 Months of Tracking ( Personal Life, Personal Management, and Family Life )
• My Scout Stuff's Plan for Competing Merit Badges (including which ones are good candidates for summer camp vs. working with local counselors)
• Bryan on Scouting's 2019 merit badge rankings: Which were the most popular?
• ScoutSmarts's All Eagle-Required Merit Badges: Difficulty Rankings in 2020 (spoiler: they rate Cycling and Communication are the hardest, and Swimming and First Aid are the easiest; they also have suggestions for when in a scout's scouting career is ideal for each badge)

For your application, we recommend you export the Eagle Scout Application from Scoutbook (click here for more details and information). First, the Scoutbook PDF will be prepopulated with key data including the scout's name, address, BSA ID number, rank advancement dates, and merit badges. This will save you a lot of copying and researching, and will also be legible!

Second, Troop 28 uses Scoutbook to record scouts' official advancement history . Even if you decide to complete your record by hand, you should print out a draft application and compare the Scoutbook records to any paper records you may have. In general, if the dates in Scoutbook are a few days or weeks after your paper records, but they don't impact your advancement (i.e., if Scoutbook shows a merit badge earned after Star or Life rank Board of Review), it probably does not warrant correcting. If you find any discrepancies, please alert the Advancement Chair and provide any available documentation (signed handbook, blue card, camp record, and/or email from scoutmaster or merit badge counselor) so it can be corrected before you submit your application.

To download the Eagle Application from Scoutbook:

• The Scout or parent should log into Scoutbook. Parents should be able to log in with their Scouting.org credentials (or can reset them as needed). If parents do not have Scouting.org accounts, or if they are logged in but cannot see their scout, they should contact the Advancement Chair. If scouts do not have access to Scoutbook, their parents first need to log in to Scoutbook. Then from the main menu (My Dashboard), select My Family / Scout's Name > Edit Profile  >  Invite Scout to Connect . They scout must have access to a different email from the parent. Troop administrators cannot grant access to scouts; this can only be done by the parents.
• To export the application, from the main menu (My Dashboard) select My Family /   Scout's Name  >  Reports >  Eagle Application .  See the Scoutbook help file for more details and instructions.
• Once downloaded, you can correct or add any missing information into the fillable PDF.

Sagamore Council has created a rubric for the Letter of Ambition and statement of life goals . They say:

Requirement #7 for Eagle Scout is an essay about your personal Life Goals. It is submitted along with your Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook and Eagle Scout Rank Application. The essay should be written in paragraph form and include both your short term and long term goals. Most scouts find their completed essay to be about 2 double-spaced pages long. This overview serves to help the Eagle Committee member who reads it to get a sense of who you are as an individual in order to prepare for his role as Chair of your Eagle Board of Review. In writing this document your goal is to present yourself as the thoughtful and sincere individual you are. It is best to include only those topics you can support in a conversation. Do your best to make this a flowing narrative of your life, and not a choppy checklist of items.

Who should write the Eagle recommendation letters?

A scout needs to submit 4-6 recommendation letters along with the Eagle application. The first three or four should come from:

• a parent or guardian
• a pastor or other leader from the scout's religion*
• a teacher or other person involved in the scout's education, and
• (if employed), the scout's employer.

*Note: If your family does not participate in organized religion , a second parent may write a letter addressing the scout's spiritual side.  Please see this Scouter.com forum for some discussion on this subject.

Additionally, a scout may submit up to two additional recommendation letters which may come from any adults, including the scout's Scoutmaster.  It is a best practice to submit names of six recommenders, even if not all six do not end up submitting recommendations.

Scouts should confirm that their recommenders agree to participate, however, letters are submitted confidentially, so the scout will not know when/if the letter has been sent/received. However, scouts will not be penalized if the recommendation letters are not received by the Council.

What is the recommendation letter process?

For a great resource including templates for requesting letters, and tips to send to recommenders for writing the recommendations, please visit the ScoutSmarts guide to “Everything to Know” about Eagle Recommendation Letters .This is NEIC's letter for prospective recommenders which scouts can include with their requests.

Use the resources below to help you on your path to Eagle!

• Life to Eagle: 10 Step Process
• Life to Eagle Instructions
• BSA's Eagle Scout Rank Application Process reference
• Eagle Project Workbook (PC version)*
• Eagle Project Workbook (Mac version)*
• Eagle Recommendation Letter

* Note: Do not attempt to open the Eagle Project workbook in a browser (i.e. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.) or in programs such as Nuance PDF Converter. The workbook was created in Adobe LiveCycle, which must be saved to your computer and opened with Adobe Reader 9 or later. This enables the user to take advantage of the enhancements of expandable text boxes and importing images. If you try to open it in a web browser or Preview.app, it will display the message  “ To view the full contents of this document, you need a later version of the PDF viewer.  Follow the instructions for PC or Mac to download the file to your computer, then  Adobe Reader  first, and  then  open the PDF from  within Adobe Reader. Also, IMPORTANT!  Please do not complete all your long-form responses directly in the PDF without paper or FREQUENT digital backups . The PDF has been known to crash occasionally, eating all the scout's hard work.  A good practice would be to draft and edit your replies in Word or Google Docs and then to copy and paste the final versions into the workbook (but keep the originals).  And don't forget: save early and save often!

ScoutSmarts has published a list of suggestions for planning an Eagle Scout Project .

Many Eagle Scout projects involve construction or conservation, but there are literally thousands of projects that involve neither. Just remember to pick a project and organization that interest and inspire you! If you are looking for ideas, here are three great places to start:

• ScoutSmarts.com's  Amazing and Creative Eagle Project Ideas
• VeryWellFamily.com's list of Projects for Kids Who Are Aspiring Eagle Scouts (Construction-Style and Event-Based Examples)
• Palmetto Council's simple but handy project idea generator allows you to enter your interests and it suggests several possible types of projects to consider

If nothing from those lists strikes your fancy, try these additional options:

• Scouting Wire
• ScoutLife's Eagle Project Showcase
• National Eagle Scout Association
• Bryan on Scouting's tips for How to find a great idea for an Eagle Scout Service Project
• ScoutLife's thread for self-reported Eagle project suggestions
• Scouting Magazine's Facebook thread of self-reported great Eagle projects
• Scoutorama's 100+ Service Project Ideas for Scouts and Youth Groups
• Troop 649's Tips for Getting an Eagle Service Project Done Right

The Eagle Workbook is a great way to keep your work organized, but here are a few more tools you may choose to use:

• Eagle Project Volunteer Sign-In Sheet template
• The BSA Scout Planning Worksheet (“Plan on a Page”) – NOTE: This is NOT a substitute for the Eagle project workbook, but rather an additional resource to keep your ideas organized as you work.
• NEIC information for Eagle Project beneficiaries
• A great set of tips on Preparing for Your Eagle Board of Review from eaglescout.org (starting with: come prepared in full uniform and make sure you know your Scout Oath and Law!)
• Eagle Scout Board of Review Study Guide from Troop 883
• Eagle Board of Review — What to Expect from iwantmyeagle.com
• Eagle Board of Review — The Insider Information
• Eagle Scout Candidate Checklist

As you approach your completion date, please check out our Congratulations! You're (almost) an Eagle!….Now What?  page for tips on planning an Eagle Court of Honor, scholarships, and more.

Tip: If you are waiting on your Board of Review, keep in mind that you can receive an Eagle Palm at the same time  as your Eagle rank (you don't have to wait an additional six months). So if you have 4, you might want to get another one done in advance!

Quick Links

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• Local/Virtual Merit Badge Listing
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Worth reading: Eagle Scout’s essay on “The Importance of Scouting in America”

In a passionate, well-thought-out essay that also serves as an excellent endorsement of Scouting, Julia Shepherd, a member of the BSA’s inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts , starts by listing a handful of famous Eagles. Then, she writes:

These people have all made their mark on the world, a path led to them through Scouting. Leaders have to make decisions, be problem solvers, face adversity, and follow their moral obligations – all principles of Scouting. … Teaching young girls and boys the values of responsibility, loyalty, leadership, and camaraderie at this age equips them for life in the reality we live in. In the ever-changing society that we are a part of, these characteristics are fundamental for children to possess and carry with them into adulthood.

The essay was part of a Central Florida Council scholarship contest. Apparently, the judges were as impressed as I was: They awarded her first place.

The importance of the uniform

Julia, from Troop 4773 in Longwood, Fla., expresses her thoughts on — among other things — the importance of the principles that kids learn in Scouting. She also uses the Scouts BSA uniform as a metaphor for everything that Scouting is about.

All of the different components of the uniform combine to form a harmonious unit, much like Scouts in America. Although there is much more to a Scout than the uniform they wear, it encapsulates everything that Scouting stands for. From the leadership to the unity to the citizenship, the uniform and the values embodied within it resemble the true importance of Scouting in America.

The uniform belt, Julia says, represents the support Scouts show to each other.

Whether it is at a troop meeting or on a camping trip, Scouts are almost always working together. Building the trust and skills to work in a team empowers everyone to continue pushing towards the goal.

The neckerchief slide holds the neckerchief in place, as Scouts must hold onto their values. The position patch signifies leadership. And the council patch represents the community to which all Scouts belong.

The importance of character

Julia interjects some personal anecdotes throughout, including the time she and some other older Scouts helped some new Scouts set up their equipment the first time they went camping. She also emphasizes the benefits of the BSA’s merit badge program.

The Personal Fitness merit badge discovered my love for tennis, the Citizenship in the Community merit badge formed my aspirations to run for city council, and the Fingerprinting merit badge intrigued my career interest in forensic science. Exploring these new subjects at a young age helps pinpoint future aspirations and goals.

Julia, who is now studying neuroscience at the University of Central Florida, concludes her essay by writing about perhaps the most important patch of them all: the U.S. flag emblem worn on the right shoulder.

America needs the youth’s generation to be endowed with the values of hard work and morals to better the future of our world and our society. … Scouts are our future, and they are equipped with a skillset that gives me confidence and faith in the future of our country.

Click here to read Julia’s essay in its entirety.

Support the Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund

Contribute to the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Scholarship Fund. Donations to this fund go directly to providing scholarships to deserving Eagle Scouts, allowing them to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.

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Does Being an Eagle Scout Help with College Admissions?

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 4/13/22

Being an Eagle Scout is the highest rank you can achieve in the Scouts BSA. So, how does being an Eagle Scout help with school admissions? Is it a big deal to be an Eagle Scout? Read on to learn more about how your BSA ranks can boost your college profile! 

The college admissions process is an exciting endeavor, but it requires diligence and effort. Millions of hopeful high school students apply to a roster of colleges every year, and they all hope to be offered admissions to their top choices.

College applicants do their best to differentiate themselves from their peers to stand out in the admissions process through their academic achievements, well-written essays, and meaningful extracurricular activities. 

If you’re affiliated with Scouts BSA, you may wonder if being an Eagle Scout helps with college admissions. The answer to this is yes, colleges tend to look favorably upon Eagle Scouts. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how colleges view your Eagle Scout status, how your skills translate into the college experience, and how to include your status on applications. 

What Colleges Think About Eagle Scouts

Earning the Eagle Scout rank is the highest advancement rank you can achieve in the Scouts BSA. The level is attainable only after a Scouts BSA member moves through six other ranks. 

Only 8% of all Scouts BSA members have earned the Eagle Scout rank, which indicates you accomplished a goal few others in the organization have. Recent data states that 17 years old is the average age to become an Eagle Scout—the approximate age of a typical high school senior. 

Being an Eagle Scout not only adds an element of interest and differentiation to your application but also demonstrates your commitment to an extracurricular activity. College is a big commitment, and admissions committees view you sticking with something you’re passionate about for so long as a predictor of your future behavior. 

When college admissions officers see “Eagle Scout” on your application, they may automatically think you’re a stand-up person with numerous positive character traits. 

The skills you’ve learned while moving through the Scouts BSA rank are also important to college admissions committees. Eagle Scouts embody positive character traits and values and are involved members in their communities and beyond. 

Your community service work and Eagle Scout project display your community involvement. Colleges hope to admit students they believe will contribute to the school’s community and culture, and touching on your community service in your application can show you wish to uphold your community involvement. 

BSA Troop 106 in New York asked 17 universities one question to learn more about the impact of being an Eagle Scout in the college admissions process: “What kind of effect does being an Eagle Scout have on a prospective student’s application to your school?”

Top national schools such as John Hopkins University, University of California—Los Angeles (UCLA), and University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill (UNC) responded:

“When we review an application, we look for three things: academic character, impact and initiative, and personal contributions. Anything a student does to make a difference through service, leadership, or innovation — from participating in the Boy Scouts, to caring for family members, or participating in a school club — is considered as we try to get a sense of who they are and what impacts they’re making on the community around them.” — John Hopkins University

“We do not consider any one kind of extracurricular activity inherently ‘better’ than another. What is important is that students select activities that are truly meaningful to them and that they really get involved with them…With this in mind, students should include Eagle Scout in their application if they believe this particular extracurricular activity meets the criteria above.” — UCLA

“We appreciate the service and dedication required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Within the extracurricular portion of the application…This is where we would hope to hear from students, in their own words, about what makes their Scouting experience meaningful to them and their community. Hearing personally from students gives us a deeper and more nuanced appreciation for any activity or award.” — UNC 

It’s important to note that while you should certainly put “Eagle Scout” on your college applications, your rank on its own won’t gain you admission to your dream college—you must still perform well on the SAT or ACT , get good grades, write impactful essays, and acquire stellar letters of recommendation . 

However, adding your Eagle Scout status to your application can add value and uniqueness to make you stand out. 

Applicable Eagle Scout Skills 

Becoming an Eagle Scout indicates you embody multiple positive traits , including “trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, friendliness, courteousness, kindness, obedience, cheerfulness, thriftiness, bravery, cleanliness, and reverence.” 

Beyond personal characteristics, your rank means you’ve earned at least 21 merit badges, including Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communication, Environmental Science and Sustainability, and Personal Management. These achievements showcase skills colleges want to see in their students. 

Because of your Scout background, you’re used to working in a team setting toward a common goal. Collaboration is a crucial transferable skill in college to help you connect with your peers and manage the workloads of any group project. 

Eagle Scouts are taught to have impeccable time management skills, another important aspect of college life. You’ll deal with numerous deadlines in your college career that require solid time management skills. 

Colleges want to know you can handle the rigor of undergraduate education, and having good time management skills can make your college career easier and less stressful as you navigate more challenging courses and an increased workload. 

Moving through the Scouts BSA ranks has primed you for leadership. Colleges search for leadership capabilities in your application, as it can help you have an enjoyable college experience. Don’t be afraid to get involved with causes and clubs you’re passionate about. You might be a driving force for positive change in your new community. 

Every Eagle Scout skill in your toolbox is transferable to your college experience, no matter what degree path you hope to pursue. “The skills learned during these scouting years can help a student to achieve the best outcome for years to come. Many will earn honors in their college education for their hard work,” states Unity College. 

How To Include “Eagle Scout” on Your College Application

Now you know your diverse skill set, character traits, and values are transferable to college life and make you a more competitive candidate. But how do you ensure admissions committees know the depth of your work on your college application? 

First, including a phrase such as, “Earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2019” is not enough. While most college admissions officers will understand what your rank entails, you should provide more context than one phrase on your application. 

Brandie Eneks , director of freshman admissions at Texas A&M University, said, “While identifying oneself as an Eagle Scout is important, it is also critical to provide detailed information.” 

There are three places in your application where contextualizing your Eagle Scout experience makes sense: your resume, extracurricular activities list, and personal or supplemental essays. 

Contextualize your community service projects 

Eagle Scout service projects “show that the young person can manage a multifaceted project, create a budget, lead others and commit themselves to something that takes months to complete.” And that’s only what your involvement reflects on you. Your community service also undoubtedly made an impact on the community. 

You can write about your service project on your professional resume or in your essay. If your project was especially meaningful to you or helped significantly shape who you are today, it can make for a highly compelling admissions essay. 

Be sure to touch on your leadership role and how you managed to plan and execute the project, and elaborate on how that experience was meaningful to your growth, mindset, or personality. 

Emphasize Leadership Experience 

Leadership experience helps you stand out from the pool of other applicants. If you took on specific leadership roles as you moved through the Scout ranks, touch on them in your resume or extracurriculars list.

Remember, most online applications, like the Common Application , allow you to add more information. Take advantage of the space to contextualize your experience!

Explain the Significance of Select Merit Badges 

To earn Eagle Scout designation, you’ve earned at least 21 merit badges, but you’ve likely earned more badges pertaining to your interests. Colleges want to accept students who demonstrate a range of varied interests; explaining a handful of your merit badges can help show the breadth of your skills and interests. 

You’ll want to share how many badges you’ve earned, but you won’t have the space to write about all of them. Choose merit badges that are varied, not necessarily the ones you earned first or last, or the ones you think will be most impactful to admissions committees.

However, you should pick a badge or two that relates to your program, if you have them. For example, if you earned the American Business merit badge, you should share that in your application to an undergraduate business program. 

If you’re applying to a computer science program, you should spotlight your Programming badge, if you’ve earned it. Think of your badges as small insights into your interests and skills.

Eagle Scout College Scholarships

There are 65 Eagle scout college scholarships available through the National Eagle Scout Association: 

• “One national four-year $48,000 Lawrence S. and Mabel Cooke Scholarship
• One four-year $16,000 Lawrence S. and Mabel Cooke Scholarship per national service territory (“NST”)
• One $7,500 scholarship per NST
• Two $3,500 scholarships per NST”

High school seniors through their junior year of college are eligible for any of these Eagle Scout college scholarships, as long as they plan to attend or are attending a four-year college or other approved programs. Other conditions include: 

To be eligible for any of the above scholarships, Eagle Scouts must fulfill all requirements and conditions: 

• You will register, maintain and provide proof of your full-time study schedule to The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA). 
• All awarded scholarship funds are paid directly to your selected institution to pay for tuition and other expenses. 
• You must maintain a GPA that places you in the upper third of your class. 
• You can’t defer a scholarship; it must be used that year. 

Applicants must use the NESA scholarship portal to apply when it opens in December. 

Not An Eagle Scout? Other Things Can Help 

If you’re not an Eagle Scout, you can still craft an impactful and competitive college application. Being affiliated with the Scouts BSA organization, in general, can still add value to your application if you explain the merit badges you’ve earned and any other impacts you’ve made in communities. 

If you’re not involved with the Scouts BSA at all, you can showcase your volunteer services in your extracurricular activities list. Think about where you’ve volunteered your time, what you did, and how your actions or involvement benefited other people. 

Remember, extracurricular activities are not limited to organizational work. Taking on a more prominent role in the home or offering to babysit neighborhood children counts toward community involvement, too. 

Whether you’re an Eagle Scout or not, your essays are a critical aspect of any college application. College admissions essays humanize your application and show who you are beyond your grades, test scores, and accomplishments. 

Essays are often the differentiation factor between applicants with similar qualifications, so ensure your narratives are vibrant and polished before you click “Submit.” 

Choose highly personal experiences that impacted your character, beliefs, or thought processes. Demonstrating growth shows admissions committees you’re an open-minded and compassionate candidate. 

Finally, do everything you can to raise your GPA and reinforce your test scores before applying to colleges. Remember, an Eagle Scout rank by itself isn’t enough to cover poor grades or other holes in your application. Boosting your GPA always bolsters your application and performing well on your tests showcases your academic aptitude and college readiness. 

Eagle Scout for College FAQs

If you still have questions about how being an Eagle Scout helps with college admissions and more, read on! 

1. How Do I Become an Eagle Scout? 

To become an Eagle Scout , you must progress through seven ranksScout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life. You must earn at least 21 merit badges, serve six months in a position of responsibility, and attend a Scoutmaster conference as a Life Scout. 

Finally, you must “plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or their community.” After you’ve met all these requirements, you must complete your board of review to become an Eagle Scout. 

2. How Important Is Being an Eagle Scout to Colleges?

Being an Eagle Scout is a big deal to colleges. Many schools value Eagle Scouts because they know they’ve learned specialized skills, display positive character traits, and are capable leaders. Your Eagle Scout status is an excellent way to add more differentiation to your application. 

3. How Do I Put Eagle Scout on My Resume? 

Your Eagle Scout status should be at the top of your extracurricular activities section on your resume. Putting “Eagle Scout” on your resume means more than just writing down your rank. You should add context about your Eagle Scout project , troop leadership responsibilities, and a point that shows a character trait catering to the role you’re applying to. 

4. How Do I Write College Essays as an Eagle Scout? 

Application essays require time, effort, and likely more than a few drafts to reach a final product. Writing about the experiences leading up to your Eagle Scout rank can make a great essay if your story is creative and well-constructed. 

Remember to show your passion, critical thinking skills, and self-awareness. Don’t get caught up in just retelling a story; ensure you’re analyzing how the experience shaped you into who you are today and why it makes you an excellent candidate. 

If you’re unsure how to structure your essay, looking at Eagle Scout essay examples can help inform and inspire your writing process.

5. Which Colleges Offer Eagle Scout Scholarships? 

Some colleges offer school-specific Eagle Scout scholarships , including: 

• University of Mississippi
• Abilene Christian University
• Florida Institute of Technology
• Lipscomb University
• Hampden-Sydney College

Ensure you check whether the schools you want to apply to offer Eagle Scout scholarships.

6. I’m an Eagle Scout Who Needs Help Applying for College: Who Do I Ask?

The college application is lengthy and can be a somewhat nerve-wracking experience for Eagle Scouts, even though you’ve had experience compiling applications. An admissions consultant can help you make the most of your application and ensure your experiences and qualifications that make you unique are emphasized. 

Beyond application content, they have the know-how to tailor your application to what specific admissions committees seek most. If you want to boost your chances of acceptance (especially at top-ranked schools), an admissions expert can give you a competitive edge.

Final Thoughts 

Your Eagle Scout rank shows admissions committees your ability to commit long-term, that you possess positive character traits, and you have multiple transferable skills to help you through the college experience. 

While being an Eagle Scout won’t cover any holes in your application, it can take an already well-rounded application from good to excellent. 

Remember to contextualize your experiences and qualifications in your resume, extracurricular activities list, or essays. Your Eagle Scout rank is a fantastic accomplishment that deserves space on your college applications. 

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