O.K. guys. Time to squash some rumours. The previous course which you all keep speaking of started with 8. Yes, 2 finished and a third was transferred to the next course after he missed an exam for a funeral in NZ. Bit better odds now. Not all of the courses have the same odds. Just the luck of the draw. Some courses finish with nearly as many as they started with, some don't.
I don't think the academy is to blame. The instructors are all first class and will do anything to help people who help themselves. Everybody seems under the impression that once they get accepted, they are a sure thing. Probably a good way to think. But always keep a backup plan.