Appointment? Downsizing?

Is it true USNA's class is starting to get smaller?

The last 3 classes have gotten smaller by a few people. 1191 last year and something like 1212 and 1220 for last year and the year before. I wasn't able to find very quickly the number of appointments for all those years but the couple that I did find were all 1390 something. That means that any small change in class size were the result of a few more people turning down their appointment. IIRC, 87% accepted a few years ago and now it is something like 83% ( I think)
 
Recall reading on another thread that the attrition rate has declined and that might also be a factor in the smaller class sizes.
 
The brigade isn't smaller but attrition has declined significantly -- they are thinking it may go down to single digits over the course of 4 yrs. Thus, it takes fewer plebes to graduate the same number of Ensigns four years later. So, yes, entering classes are smaller but graduating classes are not.

The downside is fewer slots for applicants. The upside is that, if you are appointed, you're far more likely to graduate today than 20+ years ago.
 
DS was told at NASS last June that class size would be decreasing soon. Said other SA's were already beginning to implement smaller class sizes. This info wasn't verified by me tho so I can't be positive about it. Glad it wasn't this year! DS has recvd appointment already.
 
My DD was appointed to USNA and USAFA last year. Her ALO told her that USAFA was the first to start downsizing a few years ago. USNA started later (last year if I remember correctly.) Congress has mandated a smaller total number at the Academies - 4000 (that's the number I have stuck in my head. Maybe a BGO or ALO can verify.)
 
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