Attrition rate during break

[nodiva]

Does anyone know if the USNA experiences any real attrition during the mid-year break? I know that there was very little attrition during plebe summer, but just curious about this time of year.

 

[18mamag]

I have been wondering the same thing. Class size is 1173 (according to fall grade report), the spring grade report will have the current class size and will give insight to attrition.

 

[Blondie1]

DS knows one plebe that was planning to not return from break.

 

[usna1985]

I think attrition over break is rare. The stressor tends to be the "dark ages" when you return. But just when you think things will never get better, spring break comes along and before you know it, it's Commissioning Week.


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[nuensis]

2016 started with 1211 plebes on I-Day. Lost 32 by the end of first semester plebe year, including plebe summer attrition. I don't have numbers for class size at the end of plebe summer, so I can't tell how many we lost during fall semester specifically.

My class lost 10 during second semester plebe year. Lost 13 more during first semester youngster year. 23 more second semester youngster year. Highest academic year attrition (that I have data for) was this semester, 26, which makes sense due to 2 for 7.

That adds up to 104 gone since I-Day. After 2 for 7 the class sizes tend to stay the same for the last two years. Separation usually isn't voluntary after commitment signing. I don't expect our class to lose more than a handful from here on.

Judging by the first data point alone, it looks like 2018 is at about the same place. Less candidates matriculated on I-Day, but less plebes dropped out during Plebe Summer.

 

[usna1985]

Wow, that's a lot. I honestly can't recall a single person who voluntarily failed to return from Christmas/holiday break, although there were probably a few. Obviously, some were attrited, almost exlcusively due to academics.

 

[nuensis]

Since the class standings are tallied at the end of the semester, there's really no way to tell when exactly the 42 separations during plebe year happened. I suspect most of the first 32 were during plebe summer, and some of the other 10 were during the second semester and not necessarily at winter break.

Generally, the plebes that voluntarily separate during this time have really realized that USNA was the wrong choice and are unwilling to find out if it will become a fit later on. Personally, I found making it to winter break was a bit of a boost to my motivation to stay, and a bit of rest time helped me stay sane for the remainder of the year.

 

[frt-18]

Most separations in our company occurred at the end of the semester.

 

[Blondie1]

There were 1173 plebes ranked at end of first semester.