In sales there are advantages to being first or last. If you are first, then you set the agenda with items that no competitor can measure against....ie. close to home, private schools, smaller classes, value of scholarship, etc.
The advantage of being last is you have the opportunity to listen to what the prospect likes about all your competitors and then you counter decisively, plus add your own advantages. Your competition has trouble countering.
If you're really good at selling your product, you can close the deal regardless of what order you are in the process, however, if you have a prospect that is on the fence and undecided, either first or last is preferred.