hello and thanks

[gator guy]

Hello and thanks for such a helpful and informative forum. Is any one aware of the attrition rates at the various academies? I have heard that 40% of the entering class at the CGA will not complete the program. Is that accurate? What are the reasons? I know that the academics are intense and the physical and time requirements are demanding but are the dismal stats due to academic failure or just getting smacked in the face with the reality of military life?

[xchefmike]

I dont think that is accurate
USNA has less than a 15% ATTRITION RATE

and for athletes a 95 % graduation rate per NCAA

I would guess that USCGA is similar

[Just_A_Mom]

According to the CGA website the number is 63% of the entering class will graduate.
That would be a 37% attrition rate. So yeah gator guy is close.

There are many reasons for this - some won't make it past the first summer. Some will have medical problems, honor problems, academic problems, change their mind etc... when you factor in all of that it is easy to see how the numbers add up.
The Coast Guard Academy doesn't apologize for this - nor should they.
Bottom line - if a cadet really wants to graduate - they will (barring unavoidable medical situations).

[Luigi59]

For the Class of 2007, the retention rate was 75%.

304 admitted, 228 graduated.

My guess is that unlike the candidates to other SA's, perhaps their candidates don't view the USCGA as rigorous or as "military-like" as the others, and they are sadly made aware that is not the case?

The academics, physical training, and military bearing are just as intense there as they are at the other SA's, but as you said, "getting smacked in the face with the reality of military life" may be more than they expected?

[Just_A_Mom]

Yeah - that was the highest retention rate of any class.

I don't think their attrition rate is much lower than the others - USNA's has been very high for the past few years.

USMA's is about 75% - I think.

One thing to remember - USCGA is very small - 300 or so per class as opposed to 1200-1300 that USNA/USMA admits. So it doesn't take much to skew the numbers.

[beatkp]

Attrition rates at Coast Guard have always been high but they’re getting lower. Of the 400 cadets entering in July 1964 as the Class of 1968, only 152 graduated. I believe the class of 2007 was one the lowest attrition rates ever. The four class system is at the Coast Guard Academy is really tough on a cadet, that coupled with 70 % percent of CG Cadets playing NCAA D3 sports (time management becomes more difficult) and hard academic load makes for a frustrating 1st year. Being a smaller academy, a cadet has a wide radar cross section, its a bit harder staying under the radar then one of the larger academies.

[jamzmom]

USMMA closely matches USCGA in those numbers as well. Posted on the Alumni website are the actual numbers & it looks like the average is about 100 kids out of the estimated 300 going in, don't make it to graduation. 216 graduating in 2006 was actually one of the higher numbers.

Gator Guy asked for reasons why the numbers are so high at academies.

I know that the academics are intense and the physical and time requirements are demanding but are the dismal stats due to academic failure or just getting smacked in the face with the reality of military life?

You come closer to answering your own question there. Its all of that, wrapped up in a bundle. Its just that tough. Working every second of every day to keep yourself afloat while living on 4/5 hours of sleep sometimes can kill. The academics are what get most at KP & I've heard tell its much the same at CGA. Then there are the kids who just can't lock on to the dedication needed & they buckle. So many reasons that I could probably write a book.

[Just_A_Mom]

keep in mind - these kids graduate in 4 years. there is no 5 and 6 year plan. if you look at the numbers of kids who graduate in 4 years at many state universities they are not far off.

[jamzmom]

KP has in place a "set back" system. I don't want this to sound like I'm correcting JAM. She's my buddy. I just know this system is at KP. I don't know about other academies. Set backs are kids who the academy feels can make it if offered the second chance. For example, if an '09 kid fails a part of his sea year project but is doing great in everything else, the Academy might deem it worthy of setting them back to the class of 2010 & making them re-do that portion of the project. 5 years to graduate at KP is not too unusual. Keeping in mind that KP is on a tri-mester system making the school year 11 months long, plus a year at sea, it makes KP like no other academy in many regards. Perhaps thats why they offer some kids set backs. Wish I could better explain it. Oh well. I'm on head cold medicine so Bleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaa.

[Just_A_Mom]

Thanks Jamzmom - correct me anytime!

Yeah - I was trying not to complicate the issue - I knew there was something like that at KP - didn't that guy graduate last year after something like 8 years? A record I think.....
The other academies will let you graduate late or repeat a year but it is very very rare from what I hear - exceptional circumstances.

I think it's more likely for one to be dismissed than take longer than 4 years.
For the most part you are in and out in four.