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Hi everyone,
Some backstory, I went to air cadets growing up, I'm from a family originally from Greece, so all the men in my family had the mandatory military service that was required back then, as well has having both Grandfathers fight in WW2. All of these factors really made an impression on me, and I planned to join the forces and go through RMC when I was younger. I was an honours student my first 3 years, but in grade 12 and into grade 13, my parents divorced, and my mom was diagnosed with parkinson's (Sob story I know, I tell this not for sympathy but to understand my background, life is life), this caused me to miss a large portion of my final 2 years at school caring for my mom who was now alone and very ill, and moving back and forth constantly as my parents bickered over who got me. My grades dropped like a rock, I honestly wouldn't have passed if not for some kind hearted teachers who took pity and passed me. I still moved forward to apply to RMC, I was fit, played many sports, was a deputy commander at cadets, but I got turned down in my application due to my marks.
My low marks also prevented me from getting into any university, so I went to College (Ontario college's have the option of three year programs) so I went for a three year computer engineering technologist. My marks went up from 50's in High school to 70's in college, which I thought wasn't bad considering I drive from Kingston to Toronto 3-5 times a week as I still provide care for my mom.
I still have the forces bug, so I went into the recuiting center in Kingston today, and got all the info about joining under ROTP, the university in town will allow me to transfer credits from the college into 2 years (of 4) for a science bachalors, I just have to convince the dean to let me in with 70's.
My question is, I'm hoping to make it in for ROTP Civ U program, but I'm looking at the forms I need to fill out again, and I'm seeing some big issues come review time,
a) My high school marks were terrible, I have my reasons for them, but regardless they still suck. I can prove I have the skills to do the jobs I want (I passed the aptitude which apparently the recruiter was able to pull up, so I don't have to take the test over) and I brought my grades up 30% while doing 30-50 hours a week of care, but its still C's in D's.
b) My volunteer/community involvement has suffered, you just don't have time to do that all anymore when you care for someone sometimes 7 days a week.
I'm wondering if I'm just wasting my time (and the recuiters/processors time) applying for the forces, since its going to be a pretty bleak application, or if its possible I still have a chance. My second question is, should I bring this up on the entrance essay thing, or wait for the interview stage and explain it then? I'm loathe to blame a sick parent for things, but its the simple truth.
Some backstory, I went to air cadets growing up, I'm from a family originally from Greece, so all the men in my family had the mandatory military service that was required back then, as well has having both Grandfathers fight in WW2. All of these factors really made an impression on me, and I planned to join the forces and go through RMC when I was younger. I was an honours student my first 3 years, but in grade 12 and into grade 13, my parents divorced, and my mom was diagnosed with parkinson's (Sob story I know, I tell this not for sympathy but to understand my background, life is life), this caused me to miss a large portion of my final 2 years at school caring for my mom who was now alone and very ill, and moving back and forth constantly as my parents bickered over who got me. My grades dropped like a rock, I honestly wouldn't have passed if not for some kind hearted teachers who took pity and passed me. I still moved forward to apply to RMC, I was fit, played many sports, was a deputy commander at cadets, but I got turned down in my application due to my marks.
My low marks also prevented me from getting into any university, so I went to College (Ontario college's have the option of three year programs) so I went for a three year computer engineering technologist. My marks went up from 50's in High school to 70's in college, which I thought wasn't bad considering I drive from Kingston to Toronto 3-5 times a week as I still provide care for my mom.
I still have the forces bug, so I went into the recuiting center in Kingston today, and got all the info about joining under ROTP, the university in town will allow me to transfer credits from the college into 2 years (of 4) for a science bachalors, I just have to convince the dean to let me in with 70's.
My question is, I'm hoping to make it in for ROTP Civ U program, but I'm looking at the forms I need to fill out again, and I'm seeing some big issues come review time,
a) My high school marks were terrible, I have my reasons for them, but regardless they still suck. I can prove I have the skills to do the jobs I want (I passed the aptitude which apparently the recruiter was able to pull up, so I don't have to take the test over) and I brought my grades up 30% while doing 30-50 hours a week of care, but its still C's in D's.
b) My volunteer/community involvement has suffered, you just don't have time to do that all anymore when you care for someone sometimes 7 days a week.
I'm wondering if I'm just wasting my time (and the recuiters/processors time) applying for the forces, since its going to be a pretty bleak application, or if its possible I still have a chance. My second question is, should I bring this up on the entrance essay thing, or wait for the interview stage and explain it then? I'm loathe to blame a sick parent for things, but its the simple truth.
