Firsly, thanks everyone for your input.
I was primarily asking if a poor academic record would invalidate my application in any way. I understand that the easiest thing to do is simply to apply and see what happens, and this is precisely what I intend to do. I just thought that there might be a few ex-recruiters around, who could offer a more legitimate perspective on what criteria an applicant to the armed forces is evaluated on. I realize I may not know anything about the armed forces, and that is exactly why I decided to post here.
I also thought that there may be others in my position already, perhaps even people who've applied already as well. I thought that some input from that demographic would be helping during my application process. So if your input basically amounts to "just apply", then thank you, I plan on doing so.
Ideally, I would like to participate in tan ROTP at RMC. I realize that the selection process is very competitive, and for that reason I have decided that a more realistic route would be to join the regular or reserve forces, and then apply for a CF subsidized program, although I have no idea if this would actually improve my chances for admission to an ROTP. If nothing else, I'd enjoy a rewarding and fruitful career in an NCM position.
As for my academic record:
My highschool average was something like 85% (taken from the top 6 university level courses) and it's all downhill from there.
My first year, I withdrew from three of the four courses I was taking, and got an 84% (41.00) in the remaining course. My reason for withdrawing was that, due to a death in my family, I missed a few weeks at the beginning of the year, and due to the nature of the courses I was taking, I was unable to make up for the lost time. I appealed this section of my record and it was granted. This means that my first two terms of University (Fall (Sept. - Dec) 2008 and Winter (Jan - April) 2009) were marked as CLR. Which denotes that there were extenuating circumstances to consider. (I don't know if my official transcript will even show course attempts for these time periods.)
Fall 2009, I took the same courses and my performance here was average, however I could see by now that I had misunderstood the degree I had signed up for. The Computer Science program is theoretical, rather than practical, like most CS degrees. And I realized then that I had made a mistake in allowing myself to be influenced by my parents. Moving on to Winter 2010, I failed a few courses, and decided then to withdraw from the University. However, being in the co-op program, I had already secured a co-op job (starting in May, and ending in August). This job only confirmed my idea that this industry was a bad fit for my abilities and strengths. I excelled in the job, but I could tell that a lifelong career in similar occupations would be unbearable. I delayed my withdrawal until the fall for the purposes of this employment.
Fall 2010 rolls around, and I withdraw from the term in order to pursue other career opportunities. I did no schooling at all during this time, and I was employed briefly again by the same employers for which I worked during the summer. I had not decided at this point to enter the military, because I realize that the military is not something you simply join because you don't fit anywhere else. I was thinking about it, but I wanted to exhaust my other options before I made a commitment to the forces, because I knew that once I did, there would be no going back.
That brings us to this term, where I've missed the bus with the military. I've really taken everything into consideration by this point, and I've decided that the military is the only place where I can fully employ my abilities and skills, and where I can receive the training I believe I need to become the person I want to be. I am waiting until March, on the recommendation of a recruiter, at which point I will apply.
So that's my story, if I missed something, or if something needs further clarification, I will do my best in the following discussion. Thanks again!
Dan
