It does not help or hurt your chances, they will not necessarily include this in your package. It will just be in the selection notes that are checked prior to placement, but you have to ensure you request it be put in the notes. It really does help when placing kids if they have been on top of changing their schools around based on acceptance. I don't want to place someone at a school they have not been accepted to, where they could essentially lose their scholarship. But if you do get placed at a school where you are not accepted, you can request to put your name on up to three waitlists. Waitlists and transfers are not looked at until all boards are placed. Once waitlists are being worked, and you become inpatient because there is no movement on the waitlist at your requested unit, what is great, you can request a list of open units with admission dates from the placement office, and the NROTC units at the open schools are normally great about assisting kids in a speady application process. (This of course is once you are selected).