First: This is predicated on increasing new players' time in the academy to at least 10k WP, ideally more, as well as increasing the amount of starting SP they receive (at least a million, I think 3-5 would be reasonable TBH).

While players are in the academy, they should be able to freely level and de-level skills as they see fit. A newb looks at his skill tree and sees something called an "assault dropship". Great, sounds cool, let's try it! Then, he discovers it's not something he has any interest in actually doing. He should be able to just de-level those vehicle skills and put it somewhere else. Also, the academy should be treated as a virtual-reality environment, where newbies can try out whatever gear they want at no ISK cost.

This way, when new players are finally thrown into the meat grinder, they can have a clear idea of their abilities and where they want to take their character, as well as having already started solidly down the path to their ultimate role. I think this would hugely improve retention- to know that your time in the meat grinder is moving you towards something, maybe even something you tried at proto level in the academy, then de-leveled to keep your character balanced.

I don't think that the academy should be a substitute for a proper VR training room.

However I DO agree that while in the academy you should be able to de-allocate all your skillpoints at will.

If only to teach responsibility to new players so we stop having the daily "RESPECS PLZ" threads.