The Eagle Scout Application
Assuming, all other Eagle rank requirements are completed, once the Eagle project report is complete, it is time to fill in the Eagle Scout rank application. The Eagle Scout rank application is a fillable PDF. You can find the Eagle Scout Application HERE.
Words of advice: One, save often! It is very easy to lose progress in the process of filling in the PDF. Two, there are links within the form. If you are editing the PDF in a browser tab, clicking any link in the form will forward you to that page losing any new progress since your last save. If you wish to view the link within the form, right click on the link and open the page in a new tab.
DATES
The application will ask for multiple dates such as date joined Scouts BSA, date of boards of review for First Class, Star, and Life ranks. The application will also ask for dates for all of the required and elective merit badges. You may not know these dates or your dates in your Scout manual may not match ScoutBook Plus (Internet Advancement). It is recommended you work with your Scoutmaster or Advancement Coordinator with full access to ScoutBook Plus to run a report that give you the exact dates for each field in the Eagle Scout application. While the dates in the Scout manual are considered official, use only the dates listed in ScoutBook Plus. Using any other dates will cause delays at the council office.
Also, you may have your elective merit badges in a particular order in your Scout manual. Rather than list the elective merit badges in the Eagle Scout application according to your Scout manual, use the order listed in ScoutBook and use the dates earned from ScoutBook. Again, using any other dates will cause delays at the council office.
RECOMMENDATIONS / REFERENCES
Recent changes in the Guide to Advancement affected the Eagle Scout rank application in that you only need four recommendations. They can be any four adults such as a teacher, employer, Scout leader, etc. Parents and other relatives are strongly discouraged from serving as references. The current unit leader and committee chair are not eligible to serve as references; their signature on the application is their endorsement.
The Guide to Advancement (GTA) allows councils to specify how they wish to receive those recommendations. Northern Star’s preferred method is to receive recommendations in sealed (unopened) envelopes. That means, no one should open the letter, if possible, and definitely should not read the contents.
Our recommendation is to first contact your references and let them know you are seeking their recommendation. Then mail or hand them a sealed envelope with the following contents (a graphic below
- A cover letter from you to them asking them for a recommendation and thanking them for that recommendation.
- The Eagle Scout Recommendation Letter form
- An already stamped envelope addressed from them to who receives recommendation letters for your Troop.This may be your Scoutmaster, Advancement Chair, or Eagle Mentor.Recommendation: Add the text “Eagle Scout Recommendation” to the lower right of the return envelope. Adding this text prevents inadvertently opening the envelope.
Recommendation: Ask the person who receives the recommendation letters to let you know when they receive each one. That way, you can keep track of who you might need to give a small nudge.
If a reference does not send in their letter in a timely basis, submit the application with the letters that you do have. In a worst case scenario, letters can be delivered to the Eagle Board of Review.
LEADERSHIP
There are two leadership position fields. Getting these dates to month and day can be hard. Reach out to your Scoutmaster for these dates. However, these dates do not need to be exact, but should be close enough to where your Scoutmaster and Committee Chair agree that you served.
While you may be proud that you may have served other roles, only one role for six months as a Life Scout is adequate.
EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECT
Enter the Eagle Scout Service Project name in the Project Name field. This should match what is on your Eagle Scout Project Workbook. The date project finished should match the date of the last signature on your Eagle Scout Project Report.
CERTIFICATION BY APPLICANT
This section is probably the biggest area for defects (issues). This section requires a personal statement from you the Eagle Scout applicant! As the application states: In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank 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.
Sign this section and enter the date.
SIGNATURES
Last but not least, you will need the signatures of your Scoutmaster and Committee Chair.
HANDING OVER THE APPLICATION
Finally, you are ready to turn in the application. This process may vary troop by troop, but commonly is done in the following way.
Once you have a finished and signed Eagle Scout application, take photocopies of the application, your project, and any project attachments (photos, sign in / hours sheet). Hand all of these to your Scoutmaster, Advancement Chair, or Eagle Mentor (or whomever is responsible for turning in your application to the council office).
Recommendation: Print the Eagle Scout application in COLOR.
TURNING IN THE APPLICATION
For whomever turns in the Eagle Scout application, gather the recommendation letters, the Eagle Scout application, and any project attachments (must include the hours sheet). Do not staple! Gather all together and put a paper binder or clip to hold it all together. Once everything is bound, deliver to the front desk at the council office. At the desk, you will fill in a form to certify that you have indeed dropped off the Eagle Scout application.
The next step is to wait. The council office will process the application and email the Scout, the parents of the Scout, and the Scoutmaster for the board of review.