How to ace the Army Scholarship process!

Canford has a hugely popular (and award winning) CCF giving pupils from Year 10 onwards the opportunity to join Army, Navy or Marines divisions, with the chance to take leadership roles as NCOs in the Sixth Form.  

Each year a number of pupils consider applying for a military scholarship.  The Army Scholarship Scheme guarantees a place at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and a career as an Army Officer after graduating from university, and there may be financial support available too while you are studying for a degree.  

The school has a strong record of success with these applications, and the latest is Sixth Former Ollie, who we caught up with over the summer holidays to find out a bit more about how the process works:

What made you apply?

I applied for the scholarship simply because I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the CCF at Canford and thought if I could do similar things for a living then why not, plus it would set me in great stead for university. 

What was the application process like?

There were a LOT of forms and questionnaires!  Once those have been done,  it is then a medical exam of your health and then a big and final test, the Army Officer Selection Board at Westbury in Wiltshire.  There you are drilled and tested on mental, physical, and practical ability over 2 and a half days, plus final interviews with senior members of staff. 

What was your approach and how did Canford support you?

I approached the process with a keen attitude and submitted the forms on time and kept up to date with what I had to do, then booked my dates of AOSB and medical promptly and then kept my fitness up all the way to the final selection. Canford were as helpful as anything, any question or query was answered by a number of staff, and the information given to me before applying and during the process was very helpful to me. I was especially thankful to have Mr Coward (CCF Army Detachment commander and former Army officer) as my housemaster who was amazing throughout. 

How did you feel when you were accepted?

I felt a sense of relief! I was on holiday when the letter came and so had to wait whilst others had already received the news, but it was all ok.  I was a little emotional as my parents were very proud and happy. 

What are your next steps?

My future career plans would hopefully be to do some sort of engineering at university, and then join the Army using my degree in my job role to some extent, stay for the required commission and then see what I want to do after that, whether stay in the services or use my experience beyond them.

We wish Ollie the very best in his future career - very well done!

Find out more about the CCF options at Canford