Eagle Application, Requirement 6

[fritz1255]

Requirement 6 of the Eagle Application asks for the candidate to submit a statement of his life purpose and ambitions to attach to the application. I have never seen one of these before, and neither has our latest applicant. Is this just a general freeform statement, or is there a specific format that he is supposed to follow?

[smtroop168]

Freeform is fine. The content in my experience sitting on EBORS depends on the age of the scout Freshman vs Senior in HS perspective. My son's statement basically covered what he hope to accomplish in his near (do well in HS, continue in scouts, earn more awards like his second religious medal) and far term (go to college, get a degree in a science discipline, give back to scouts). It was approximately a page long.

[scoutaholic]

Our council has a form (which I can't find on the website). Basically, it restates the requirement, gives a short explanation, and then has blank lines for the boys to fill in. IF they fill the form completely, it would be about 3/4 page free-form. I've never seen one completely full.

[jr56]

Any ones I have ever seen is about a page, free form. Whatever the boy wants to write.

[VenturingL]

Try starting with an outline: major activities he's been involved with (Scouts, sports, band, youth at place of worship, etc.), leadership positions held if applicable - no one should expect leadership roles in EVERYTHING, so also note how he contributed to each group, what he learn from each, honors or awards he earned through each, etc. Then move into future plans (the life ambition part). WHY does he want to be a teacher, astronaut, cartoonist, veterinarian, or whatever? How does he plan to accomplish his goal - college? trade school? internship? apprenticeship? He may be able to tie what he learned from the various activities to the skills he will need to accomplish his goals. (Hint - I bet he can from Scouts)

[Bill Pitcher]

Ours is freeform. Two or three paragraphs on what the Eagle Candidate hopes to accomplish in his remaining years in school, what career path he plans to take, and how he will get there. Than a small resume of other organizations he belongs(ed) to, positions held and/or awards earned. OK to include Scouting awards, too. All tolled, about 3/4 tp a page long and "attached to the application!"

[RWSmith]

You know, when you ask yourself, "What's my purpose in life?", or especially when somebody asks you what you think about your purpose in life, and more especially in this particular situation, it is a good time to look at the many possible perspectives...

Mom, dad, "What's my purpose in life?" No, wait... I'm old enough, mature enough, to ask myself...

"What did my parents teach me about my purpose in life?"
"What did my family teach me about my purpose in life?"
"What did my sports coach(es) and team mates teach me about my purpose in life?"
"What did Scouting teach me about my purpose in life?"
"What did the OA teach me about my purpose in life?"
"What did my church/synagouge/temple teach me about my purpose in life?"

Ahh...

"What has God taught me about my purpose in life?"

Hmm...

Now, ask yourself again, "What's my purpose in life?"

As noted in previous posts, one page is fine, two max. Keep it simple; keep it real. Don't answer all the questions I just posed; but, make it yours... Tell them what's important to you. And make your ambitions lofty because you'll never get to Mars if you don't believe.