Who gets the apartment if the Realtor has a bunch of applications?

ivegotquestions: Who gets the apartment if the Realtor has a bunch of applications?
Im apartment hunting in NYC. How does a real estate agent or landlord decide who gets the apartment if theres a ton of applications in? Is it the person with the best credit/records/history or is it the first one to put the application in? Sorta confused. Thanks!

Answers and Views:

Answer by golferwhoworks
He just has to choose and not give a reason

Answer by educated guess
I run them in the order they are received. I either qualify or dis-qualify the person, then move on to the next if needed…

Answer by schwildcat1977
legally they have to take the first qualified applicant – otherwise it can look like discrimination.