Yes I did come across this and Alchyna and me discussed this aspect too. Then we came to the conclusion that its networking after all which makes a diff. Secondly, I think they are taking their sweet time to decide who to take and who not to so as to avoid the big class conundrum.
Plus I love your signature Oriole, "IHEID - Forever pending, killing me softly", sums up what all of us feel.
Sorry to hear that. Good luck for IHEID.