I just found this site today, and I have to say that it looks like a great resource.  Anyhoot, it's funny that you guys were using Eastern Michigan as an example as it's one of the schools I have an interview at.  It's by far not the most prestigious school around, but qualifications aside my application reads as a perfect fit for their program and with the prof. with whom I applied. I just had a phone interview yesterday with another school and the prof was afraid of their research population and their program focus not being the best fit with my goals.  I think that fit maybe is a little more important than amazing qualifications.  
  
Oh, and good luck to anybody still waiting.  I'm still waiting to see if U of Washington and SIU Carbondale have sent out invitations yet.