Question for admissions folks on here:

How much does a Girl Scout Gold Award or Boy Scout Eagle Award strengthen a "review" application?

I'd imagine if it was being compared against an application that is the same notwithstanding the award, that one would be chosen. I don't know if there is such a system where certain awards count for like a 0.5 GPA boost or something of that sort.

From what I've been able to discern, there are so many things that go into the selection that it's hard to tell whether one bit will be the oomph needed or not. If we're talking about the Corps then it is definitely a big help. Regardless it can't hurt.

Not nearly as much as 3 well written essays.

Man, Lone, I sure hope you're wrong about that! Comparing a huge 12-13 year commitment in an organization like scouts, achieving all of the stair step awards to reach the highest award to a kid sitting in their room and writing a creative essay over a few hours is a huge stretch.

The hours and hours a girl scout has to invest to earn a bronze, silver, visionary award, all before they can even apply to complete a huge service project to earn a gold award is an incredible accomplishment for kids these days. Less than 1% of scouts earn these high awards and comparing that to a strong creative essay is a leap to me.

I sure hope we are admitting kids that apply this kind of effort and commitment over a long period of time versus a creative essay.

My 2 cents

[This message has been edited by texaggie90 (edited 8/12/2012 11:30p).]

Interviewer:

"What makes you right for this University? What are your academic strengths?"

Applicant:

"Well, I am glad you asked that, my twelve-thirteen years in the scouts taught me many ways to tie knots and survive outdoors."

Interviewer:

"Really!?!? That was the correct answer, you're IN!"



Is that how you envision your interview to go??

[This message has been edited by kgc123 (edited 8/12/2012 3:10p).]

kgc,

No, actually I envision the applicant stating something more like this:

Well, thanks for asking! I spent about 200 hours in the spring and summer on my Gold project where I created an education program for at risk kids in a houston area project. I assembled roughly 20 volunteer high school kids during the course of my project and raised funds through local business to fund not only the items I used for the education program, but also to build an entire new stage for puppet shows and other events, which is now a permanent structure at a local foundation for these same at risk kids.

Oh, and last summer, I went to Puerto Rico, after raising $2,000 in my community and spent a week at a shelter for deaf kids where my volunteers and I painted and repaired a building where these kids live during the school year, completely landscaped the outdoor environment and delivered donated items from the states to help these kids have a better life. That is how I spent last summer to earn my silver award.

Oh, and the summer before that, I raised money to buy games, books and other items for a children's cancer center in Texas. I did that to earn my Bronze award.

Thanks for asking. By the way Mr. interviewer, what did you do during your summers in High school?

Sorry to be sarcastic, but your comments are in line with 6 year old cub scouts and brownies. The hours these kids donate and the funds they raise and the projects they take on to better the lives of people all over the world are nothing short of down right impressive. Just a tad bit more than knot and selling cookies.

[This message has been edited by texaggie90 (edited 8/12/2012 4:32p).]

[This message has been edited by texaggie90 (edited 8/12/2012 4:33p).]

texaggie90, I responded to your other post as well.

Be sure to put down Eagle/Gold awards as they are prestigious awards and they can help in the review process. However, it is important to note that many students that are applying have the same award. Students need to be sure to put down the award, as well as track the community service, and time commitment for Boy/Girl Scouts for the award so that we can take it into account.

In our process the time commitment to an activity is one of the key factors that we are looking for in our applicants.

Because it was brought up in a post I have to say it, interest in the corps/seeking commission does not factor into the process.

Jayson Naiser '05
Admissions Counseling Advisor
Aggieland Prospective Student Center
jnaiser at tamu dot edu

Tel. 979.458.0950

http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=2127779&forum_id=17

Jayson,

Thanks for the information! I'll pass it on.

You're doing a great service here by being active on Texags! Great job and thank you!

Thanks! I am just glad to be able to help people out.

quote:

---

Interviewer:

"What makes you right for this University? What are your academic strengths?"

Applicant:

"Well, I am glad you asked that, my twelve-thirteen years in the scouts taught me many ways to tie knots and survive outdoors."

Interviewer:

"Really!?!? That was the correct answer, you're IN!"



Is that how you envision your interview to go??

[This message has been edited by kgc123 (edited 8/12/2012 3:10p).]

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Your lack of knowledge about Scouting is embarrassing.

So glad I chose to play sports instead of make campfires.

This is a topic where some think it's a big deal and some don't think it's relevant at all. I had Eagle on my resume until it didn't really fit because I know people making hiring decisions who consider Eagle scout a big deal. As mentioned by the adviser, it helps on college apps as well. There are a lot of former Boy Scouts, Boy Scout parents, and Boy Scout leaders out there who know what goes into a good Eagle project.

Interviewers that do care will probe you about your project so make sure it's a good one. If you ran a several-month project including talking to community leaders to select a project, drawing up plans, getting them approved, dealing with permits and utilities, acquiring materials through purchase and donation, scheduling work over several weekends, and supervising a 15-person work crew, then it's a fairly big deal for internships or a first job. If you spent a Saturday painting parkbenches, then probably don't bring it up. It can be a conversation starter later on even if the interviewer no longer considers it a relevant indicator of your potential.

[This message has been edited by Ulrich (edited 8/18/2012 8:29p).]

quote:

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Applicant:

"Well, I am glad you asked that, my twelve-thirteen years in the scouts taught me many ways to tie knots and survive outdoors."

---

You do realize that Scouts learn more than how to tie knots and survive outdoors?

Ulrich, that's a good point. If I'm on an interview panel, Eagle Scout is one of the first things that will get my attention. And if the opportunity presents itself, I will usually ask about the project.