We tell BSers this every year.

This time we’ll let a BSer tell you.

From a Round 1 client, as stated in early October last year in their School Strategy in My SnarkCenter:

Starting the process relatively late (Spring time) thinking I could take my GMAT late August & have great essays by 13 Sept for a tough application like Duke was just unrealistic in hindsight. Pushing Darden from Rd 1 (Oct 4) to Rd 2 (9 Jan) should I get dinged at Duke (16 Dec) and Oxford (9 Dec). Again, having to retake the GMAT on 26 Sept and having 8 days to come up with a great essay is just too tight. Still keeping Oxford at Round 2 (Oct 28). Keeping UNC Rd. 1 (Dec 2) and pushing Vandy to Rd. 2 (9 Jan) due to their round 1 deposit deadline conflicting with the rest of my strategy. Lesson for next year if things don’t work out: start earlier.

 

Couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
 
 

 
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• “Start Your Engines” series