SSSE
I didn't say anything at all about a graduate, good or otherwise. I just asked stupido for some more info on the 'life experience' that he appears to think can be found only at uni, and I listed a few items that I wanted excluded..........honest!
In your first 'idea' you listed some admirable projects done by your friends during their gap years and I agree that those individuals have shown that they have something to offer the RAF. But all this activity took place, as you said, in their gap years and therefore before your friends went to uni. The gap year is not the exclusive preserve of the budding graduate, and there are plenty of other youngsters not planning on going to uni but who also take a year out after school and do the same sorts of activities and achieve equally laudable results. In your second 'idea' you mentioned getting into and out of financial difficulties, learning buzz-words and making well-balanced career decisions while at uni. Nowadays none of this is unique to graduates; in fact, anyone with a credit card, a TV and an ounce of vision can do all 3.
I do not denigrate the academic side of university life (although I have yet to be persuaded about the value to the RAF of some of the degree courses taken) and I made no mention of it in my first post anyway. I would just like to know a little more about the particular brand of 'life experience' that seemingly can be found only at university and is so much more valuable and enriching than that enjoyed elsewhere by other school-leavers.