Hi njsoccer31,
Basically, the key thing is applying at least a week before the deadline and also having your recs in at least a week before so you are covered. This shows that you worked long and hard on your application and really want to go there. Other than that it does not matter whether it is a week or a month before UNLESS it is a rolling admissions program in which case you should apply asap!
No matter when you apply, make sure you don't rush the preparation of your application. As you know, there are thousands of qualified applicants vying for a limited number of spots. It is so important to ensure that your application differentiates you from all the other applicants. If you would like expert assistance with the admissions process, please let me know. My company, Stratus Prep, has years of experience getting our clients into top MBA programs. To give you an idea of our results, we have a 90% Round 1 success rate at HBS and a 75%+ overall success rate at Wharton.
We would love to work with you to get you into your top choice schools. Feel free to call us at 212-307-1788 to set up a free half hour consultation to discuss your options. Let me know if you have any additional questions
Best,
Shawn
