<p>As an NROTC mid who was also accepted to the Naval Academy, I can provide some insight. </p>
<p>I was pretty set on USNA for a while. I went to USNASS and loved it. Around the time I received my appointment letter, the idea of being in the military was fading on me for some reasons. I enrolled at my school, not on NROTC scholarship and decided I needed something different after fall term at my civ. school. I enrolled in NROTC one term late and I like it. I am not yet on scholarship, but I should be picked up in the coming months.</p>
<p>About ROTC
You all must realize that once you get into the fleet, there is no distinction between an NROTC officer and USNA officer. I’ve talked to many OCs (previously enlisted who are training to become officers in the STA-21 program) and MECEPs who previously served in active-duty enlisted situations and they say nobody cares where you came from. It’s how you lead that counts. There are many idiots who come from the Academy and many excellent leaders. It’s the same with ROTC. It’s what you do with your education and training that counts. Yes, USNA is going to look better on your resume in the civilian world, but the military doesn’t care. They want to know how you perform.</p>
<p>In terms of time management, ROTC is rough. At USNA, your schedule is set for you. You have set study times, etc. In ROTC, I have 20 credits per term plus PT at 0600 three times a week, drill at 0600 twice a week, briefings one day per week, and naval science classes twice a week plus battalion activities (I’m QDS for a committee). Try balancing that with all of my engineering studies and sleep is not something that happens often. I get to bed around midnight every night and wake up at 0500. That is not by choice. I’ve always been a good time manager, but there’s just not enough time in the day to study, prep your uniforms, hit the gym, etc. Not to mention, we still have inspections twice a term in ROTC and we also have to take the PFA. There is summer training, almost the same as the Academy. We participate in military competitions twice a year and one of our rivals is USNA (we beat them last term in a drill competition hoo-yah! 
). Many USNA people will say what they do is harder. In all honesty, I’m not sure. I just know the main argument it that your schedule is laid out for you at USNA and you have to manage your own time in ROTC.</p>
<p>It’s a rough decision. With all of that said, I still have that blue and gold in my blood and will be reapplying to USNA after this year. :)</p>