Well I know of one self sponsored chap from Jerez in 2000 who got a recommendation to BA which got him an interview which he passed. I believe he was then scheduled to join a BA cadet course for a JOC course. Sept 11th happened and I am unsure as whether this ended or suspended his progress.
He was an exceptional student though. Almost a freak in the nicest possible way. Some fantastic degree in Incredibly Hard Sums, a GAPAN part sponsorship and he aced the course. Makes you sick ;-) but a nice enough chap.
So it was pretty rare. Back in the heydays of cadet recruitment.
Perhaps now that nobody is sponsored it will all come down to self determination and grit.
WWW