<p>Not applying for NROTC will not hurt a lot, but certainly does not help. USNA asks that question for a reason – they want to know how committed you are to a Navy career. Also, your explanation won’t impress anybody. I suggest that you come up with a better explanation in case you get asked this at the interview. It is not like NROTC somehow precludes attending USNA. They assume that you would choose USNA over NROTC, given the choice. Then again, you could also change your mind and apply for the NROTC scholarship; eliminating that as an issue.</p>
<p>Your academics are outstanding, obviously.</p>
<p>Your leadership is good but not great. Teaching life guard lessons is good, because it combines athletics with some leadership. What USNA really wants, leadership-wise, is team captain of a varsity sport or student council officer. Being an officer in a club is okay, but not special.</p>
<p>Your physical fitness appears excellent, but lack of varsity sports will hurt. No doubt about that. 90% of USNA midshipmen participated in varsity sports. Just doing it in 9th grade will hardly count. They are looking for more like three years of varsity sports. Plus, although not officially stated, I believe that USNA prefers team sports over individual sports.</p>
<p>So, out of the three “legs” of your application, you are extremely strong in one but only okay in the other two. I rate your chances as below average but not out of the question. Being female might help you.</p>