Joining with just AS levels

[dayains]

If I made the required grades with AS levels to get the required 140 UCAS points for entry as a RM officer would I stand a good chnace of succeding?

Thanks.

[letsrole]

NA, you have to have at least two FULL A-levels

[dayains]

2. Direct Entry
Qualifications: 2 GCE ‘A’ levels (or equivalent)

From the royal marines site and 4 AS's are equivalent to 2 A levels. But i just wondered what were teh chances of being succesful with them.

[Worthers Original]

It's probably less to do with bits of paper as who are the best all round candidates. However, they need to draw a line somewhere.

[dayains]

It's probably less to do with bits of paper as who are the best all round candidates. However, they need to draw a line somewhere.

By that do you mean if I'm over the line i stand a good chance if i'm good everywhere else?

[Worthers Original]

Well, if they have two candidates that are equal in every other respect then they may go with the one with the better qualifications. The thing is to be better than the other candidates.

[dayains]

OH right yeah that's what I was thinking. I might just stick out to A2's as there owuld most likely be a big gap of timewasted if i was to just do AS's in january and not finish the year and do A2's.

Cheers.

[letsrole]

What have you got to loose by completing your A-levels? Yes the site does say 'A' levels- not 'As' levels.

Plus if you plan to join straight after you’re As levels, without completing a full A-level, what would the AIB think of this? Lack of commitment? In the last few batches only around 5-10 guys straight from A-levels have been selected, so, what's going to put you ahead of others if they have full A-levels? Bearing in mind you would have all passed POC and AIB and you are all now at the same level in terms of leadership, fitness and teamwork. So basically a lot does rely on grades I guess.

[Dickie]

When I went for my informal interview, I had only just completed As and was starting A2, but the impression I got from the guy who interviewed me was that A2 was the minimum, either to be supplemented with a degree (preferably obtained from a Uni away from home) or 'life experience', which I assume means working in the real world and dealing with people in an work environment.

Look at it this way, a few weeks ago I was intending to apply for a commision in the RM (since then I think I've changed my mind, but stay with me...). Now, I am completing A2's, and intend to go on do a degree, even though at the moment I am struggling with some of the subjects (I didn't do too well in my exams, family problems and the like...but I won't go there) so, competing against me on paper how would that look? I'm not trying to sound bigheaded, and for all I know after in an interview you may come across as the better candidate, but if thats at all representitive of other people you'll be competing against, maybe you should think about at least finishing A2. That said, thats just my view on the subject, and people here have a lot more experience and knowledge about it, so take their advice over mine!

Dickie.

[douguk]

Dayains, one possibility might be if you really don't want to do your A2's why not do an AIB this year- if you get an offer, take it but if not just do your A2's and reapply. You'll be more likely to pass second time round as you'll know whats expected of you

Doug

[dayains]

That's what I'm thinking of now, but do I need my results before I can apply, or will they let me do a POC etc beofre I have them?

Ta for all the help

[Dickie]

This I do know, you need at least As grades or predicted grades for A2 to make an application.

[dayains]

Cheers.

[letsrole]

Hmm odd, I thought you had to be 17 to go on any officer course with the RMs although I know scholars are available but if you are doing A-levels I think they will make you wait until you are 17.

This is what happened to me, I started my applications and interviews at 16 but I got a POC when 17, whether this was to do with taking time for the whole application process I don’t know. But lets be serious here, you could be in command of guys in your troop as old as your dad I don’t think they would let a 16 year old go through all that, again just my opinion… give it a go mate.

PS I’m not trying to put you down or anything but that was just my opinion and what happened to me, as I said give it a go because it could just be applications taking a while and plus you could specify when you wanted a POC. Unless you are going for scholar?

Ok Iv gone on for long enough.

[dayains]

Haha I am 17 lol, 18 in jan and doing AS's in Jan as i was shall we say not th wisest of the bunch last year when it came to revision, but I've pulled me socks up.