<p>Patsfan- after doing the above, consider making a visit to the yard (if you are close enough) - and if you think this is for you, get a copy of Smallwood's book "A Candidates Guide to the United States Naval Academy"- it explains the aspects of the admission process very well.</p>
<p>I'm a current Mid and I just had a couple things to add about the attrition rate:
As many are saying- the difficulty of Plebe Summer has a lot to do with your company and how hard they decide to train. This year I know that there were a lot of restrictions placed on what the detailers could and could not do. Perhaps this helped our attrition stay low, however, I think one of the largest factors was actually the mild Summer we had. Though there were a fair share of black flag days- overall the summer heat never became that intense. In addition- they wouldn't let us even talk about leaving for the first 9 days, let alone attempt to. I'm not sure if they've done this in previous summers- but I think it made a bunch of kids stick it out that perhaps would have tried to quit in the first week. I also know of quite a few plebes that were talked out of quitting several times -though I'm not sure I entirely agreed with this strategy, I know that my company would have had more plebes quit if people didn't councel them everytime they wanted to quit. Sorry to keep this subject going; I realize that many of these threads go on for far longer than they should.</p>
<p>I think the point that needs to be kept front and center is that the loss over plebe summer really does not matter in the big scheme of things. There will be attrition within each class- no way around it- plebe summer suffers loss from those either ill informed, ill equipped to meet the physical requirements, ill prepared to meet the mental challenges, and those just not happy.</p>
<p>Plebe year - and each year after that- the academic challenges get the most of many who fall behind and just can't make the grade. The ones that really put forth the effort usually make the cut- but realizing that they need help early enough and seeking it out is the challenge.</p>
<p>Keeping up with the physical aspects can get a few more over the years, but aside from academics, it is the behavioral issues that cause most of the remaining attrition. The kid that signs taps and goes missing off the yard. The underaged kid that goes on a drinking binge and gets caught, the kid that gets wise and offends a SAVI regulation- stupid, and avoidable, but stuff that will whittle away at the numbers for sure.
And then the 2 for 7 signing- a gut check for some- last chance to walk away without occuring indebtedness. Screw up after that, and you will be paying Uncle Sam back in spades.</p>
<p>So please- don't get hung up on the "how many dropped out over plebe summer." IT DOESN"T MATTER!!!! The ONLY number that matters is how many of your class gets to graduate and earn that commission! Up until then, anything can- and sadly for some- does happen! Just make it a point to keep your eyes firmly affixed to the real goal! </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>