Juniour jetset,
I don't really think this is the best advice. It certainly isn't a lottery as you suggest and the guys and girls that have been successful have all thoroughly deserved it.
Searching904,
With regards to your application, one month is more than long enough to prepare your application. The application window is only open for two weeks so you will have as much time as everyone else to prepare. Just make sure you spend a lot of time on the application and have it proof read by someone else before submitting it.