Should I leave uni to join RAF?

Hello, I finished my 2nd year at university studying Business Management, however, I ended up with poor grades due to personal/family issues and I am not enjoying the degree. To be honest, I don't really want to continue studying next year to waste another 9k with mediocre grades that will get me nowhere. I am currently on the path to a 3rd and would most likely end up with a 2:2 if I tried hard which isn't even a good.

I have been looking at some of the RAF roles and a couple of them interest me but I don't know if I should apply now or just continue with uni. I am thinking I may not even get accepted at RAF which is kind of risky and will leave me with no options for the next year.

Hello, I finished my 2nd year at university studying Business Management, however, I ended up with poor grades due to personal/family issues and I am not enjoying the degree. To be honest, I don't really want to continue studying next year to waste another 9k with mediocre grades that will get me nowhere. I am currently on the path to a 3rd and would most likely end up with a 2:2 if I tried hard which isn't even good.

I have been looking at some of the RAF roles and a couple of them interest me but I don't know if I should apply now or just continue with uni. I am thinking I may not even get accepted at RAF which is kind of risky and will leave me with no options for the next year.

You say may not get into the RAF. True, not everyone does, but it sounds as though you are being overly pessimistic because all the problems you've had are getting you down. Are there any particular aspects of making an application that you are concerned about or is it that you've just had your confidence knocked a bit?

Finish uni and get your degree; it gIves you a qualification and options for the future. (Further to what Drewski says, there are few jobs in the RAF that require degrees - engineers do and are accepted with pass degrees). Use this summer and the final year to get yourself ready to apply to the RAF. Get to an AFCO and look more into your chosen roles. Get fit. Get involved in clubs and societies and take on responsibilities, if you haven't already. Good luck!

Wow you see right through me and yeah you guys are right, I will hold it off until next year. I didn't go ahead with the application because I knew I would get rejected as I never did any extracurricular activities or gain employable skills before due to social anxiety. Compared to other applicants who probably have good grades and life experiences is not a good look for me. And me still living at home rather than on campus doesn't help either. I just sometimes feel like I can't do anything because it is too late for me.

I will try spending this year getting fit and joining some clubs however I need to spend a lot more time on my degree if I want to achieve decent grades. Thanks for the advice.

Wow you see right through me and yeah you guys are right, I will hold it off until next year. I didn't go ahead with the application because I knew I would get rejected as I never did any extracurricular activities or gain employable skills before due to social anxiety. Compared to other applicants who probably have good grades and life experiences is not a good look for me. And me still living at home rather than on campus doesn't help either. I just sometimes feel like I can't do anything because it is too late for me.

I will try spending this year getting fit and joining some clubs however I need to spend a lot more time on my degree if I want to achieve decent grades. Thanks for the advice.

Please don't take this as knocking your motivation for decent grades, but don't get too hung up on that aspect as it doesn't matter what grades people take into their application so long as they meet the requirements for their role; your qualifications is a couple of questions on the formal interview and then it's your preparation and personal qualities that take you through the rest of the selection and hopefully training. Genuine examples: someone with top grades at GCSE/A levels failed the interview because when asked about the training for their chosen Officer role they described the process for airmen/women and it went downhill from there; conversely, 17yo with the minimum grades and slightly quiet personality in the interviews passed Halton and won Best Recruit for his intake.

The RAF don't see living at home as an issue in itself (can be for personal/financial reasons), but it does depend on what you've done with your time. Is there something local you can do that isn't too much of a drain as you are right, you do need a balance between study and outside activities? You haven't said what roles you are interested in, but maybe have a back-up plan so that if it was lack of positions with responsibility for which you were rejected, you've got something where you can work and volunteer and look at reapplying in the future? If you decide the RAF is what you really want, keep at it and don't let one setback with an application put you off for life.

Hi,

glad that these replies have helped you make your mind up!

Touching upon what I said previously; do not hang around to apply though. The process is very lengthy, and even more so if your medical record is extensive.

Once you've had your interview, the ball is in your court as to deciding upon dates for your pre-joining tests, potential RAF course etc. You could try and time it so you have a seamless transition from uni into work.

Also bear in mind that some roles may have lengthy waiting lists to join!

Best of luck my friend, the RAF is an excellent career choice - as is any of the Armed forces!

The reason I am putting emphasis on grades is in case I get rejected and decided to pursue something else with my qualifications, but I do know it isn't vital for the RAF (I am interested in the Air Operations Officer position).

And regarding your second point, that is the problem. I haven't done anything with my time. All I have done is volunteer at Cancer Research UK for a couple of months and do a few weeks of work experience at a retail store while I was in secondary school... What would you recommend me to do over the summer before uni starts that could strengthen my application? When uni starts I am going to sign up for some of these clubs https://brunelstudents.com/sportsclubs/a-z/
I wanted to sign up for the University London Air Squadrons but the website says recruitment is closed.



Oh I didn't know that, thanks for the information. When exactly would be the best time to apply and do the interview? I would do it now but like I said before I would be a poor applicant due to not having much experience/skills they would be looking for. I don't have any medical issues however I am on the skinny side so I will try to bulk up and hit the gym.

I'm applying to be an Air Operations Officer, I hope it won't have a really long waiting list. And if you could give me any pointers that would help me in the interview process would be appreciated.

I'm applying to be an Air Operations Officer, I hope it won't have a really long waiting list. And if you could give me any pointers that would help me in the interview process would be appreciated.

Hello, I finished my 2nd year at university studying Business Management, however, I ended up with poor grades due to personal/family issues and I am not enjoying the degree. To be honest, I don't really want to continue studying next year to waste another 9k with mediocre grades that will get me nowhere. I am currently on the path to a 3rd and would most likely end up with a 2:2 if I tried hard which isn't even good.

I have been looking at some of the RAF roles and a couple of them interest me but I don't know if I should apply now or just continue with uni. I am thinking I may not even get accepted at RAF which is kind of risky and will leave me with no options for the next year.