Does it have anything to do with how early your application was submitted? I think someone had suggested that if you had gotten your application in as soon as applications were open you would be considered first?
Seems to be irrelevant. A German applicant said on this forum he applied on Dec, 1st :) and he was accepted last week !
The general 'consensus' is that is based on merit. Although it could be on hair colour too... who knows what criteria they have..:)