The other reason to complete it early is that there is only so much money in the pot to share the wealth. With that said, there have many who have gone up for multiple boards, so don't be shocked if your paperwork is submitted, meets the Nov board and they reply that at this time you were not selected, but will go up again for the Dec board. The reason goes back to the pot of money. You maybe on the line for full ride or partial. They want to see if there are more coming down the pipeline and how you stack up against them. The ones that get it earlier are those that make the def pile...for example def full ride no matter who comes in, or def will be partial, but never make full ride. Get use to this, as you make the service your career that even happens with promotion boards, that is why those who get the DP IZ jump for joy when they read their PRF since they know that they will be promoted, but now sorted into a pile of school or no school and that is why you sit and wait on pins and needles for the results.
As far as UPT, afarldad is correct neither ROTC or the AFA will be an easier track to get through UPT or FTU. Bullet was an ROTC grad, out of a class of 16 at FTU, he was the DG, and also the student to be the first in over 30 yrs to get 2 EQs. He was double crewed with 2 AFA grads, 1 graduated, the other was FEB 2 weeks before graduation and lost his wings.
DS selected AFROTC over the AFA, but he had many reasons behind the decision. The 2 most important was that he did not want to spend 4 yrs taking engineering classes and walking the pavement, the 2nd was that he interviewed cadets graduating and with assignments (you get the track as a jr). There was only one cadet that did not get their 1st choice and that was due to his gpa. Talk to the det commander and see their historical data.
However, from our experience it is true your gpa and AFOQT will be the main components on whether you will get a UPT slot, esp. since you will be going up against others nationally. Think of it this way it is like applying to colleges, strong gpa, high SAT (AFOQT) and ECs (rank/responsibility in the det) with recs (commander will be a part of your review) will determine what you get. Skate by in college with a gpa below 3.2, score an 80 on the AFOQT and not being involved in the det will lower your chances sharply...to be honest you have a better chance of becoming the POTUS. You could have been the next Chuck Yaeger, but will never see the chance since they believe from historical data you won't make it through the academics. UPT and UNT is not just about flying, you will spend a majority of your time hitting the books, and it never ends even when you become operational, because you will upgrade during your craeer. Not saying it is only books, but don't believe that when you get there on day 2 you will be in an AC, because you will be sorely disappointed.