^^ Yep. The scores get you in the door; the application (nominating statement/teacher recommendations/whatever it is that makes you stand out) determines the finalists; and then the interviews are key. D and Betsy hit it off immediately (or so I heard), and, to this day, I still have no idea exactly what they talked about, but D felt that Betsy and Bonnie really knew her by the time they were through.
Good luck to anyone reading this thread. I’m obviously a big fan of CDB (and the entire IEA organization for that matter). Our family’s experiences are dated (D graduated from high school in 2009 and is now in grad school), but I;m happy to share what I know here or in PMs if that level of privacy makes anyone more comfortable.