That's true on admissions committees and grant review panels as well. The candidates or proposals that are clearly over their head are easy to identify. Then there is that group that you would select every one of them if you could, but somehow you have to pick the 40 out of the 100 honor students with good test scores, good recommendations and impressive extracurricular records. Of the 30 projects that deserve funding, you need to select 25 and turn down the other five. You're right, it is splitting hairs by the final lap.