<p>@redbluegoldgreen,
If the local school options are unattractive for whatever reason, so that attending BS is a priority, then the candidate needs to be PRAGMATIC about where he/she applies. Reapplying next year only to the same small group of uber-selective schools is not a wise strategy. The reality is that some candidates, no matter how many times they apply, just do not have the resume to get into these schools.</p>