Some here think that this forum is somehow representative of all applicants. Of the 12,000+ who initially apply; and the 6,000+/- who are considered eligible; and the 2500-3000 that are considered competitive and have a nomination; how many do you think actually visit this forum? Including just their parent? 30???? That's like 1%.
Just because you've only seen 1 appointment thread from someone with a presidential, doesn't mean anything. You can't make any type of opinion based on that.
As for answering your question, it's not a matter of "Which nomination Sources" are notified first. There's no such thing. This week, they could offer an appointment to a recruited athlete with a MOC nomination who'd they'd like to get, because this week was national signing day. It's when ALL the recruited athletes, from all the schools, from all the sports, usually commit in writing to the school of their choice that's been recruiting them. The academies don't actually give scholarships, but many 17 year old kids don't understand that, so the academy will offer the appointment early for an athlete so they can be part of the pomp and circumstance of "Signing Day".
But in the same week, they can offer a candidate an appointment with a presidential, because the individual is part of the "NO BRAINER CLUB"; meaning s/he is in the top 10 (Not 10%, actual TOP 10) of candidates. Basically, there is no way this individual ISN'T going to receive an appointment. But this person is obviously the type who's also being courted by 5-10 other big schools in the country. Remember; the average CADET who actually got the appointment and made it to the academy, is the type of applicant that can most times get accepted into just about ANY COLLEGE or UNIVERSITY they want in the country. Remember what the AVERAGE GPA and ACT/SAT scores are. 3.86, 30act, etc... That's the AVERAGE. So the academy will sometimes offer early to someone they know is going to get an appointment, but they don't want the person to accept USC, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Duke, Purdue, etc....
There's also the individual who is qualified and received a PRINCIPAL NOMINATION. It doesn't matter what the academy wants; they MUST GIVE a PRINCIPAL Nominee the appointment. They have no choice. They will sometimes give it to them early, like January or February, because they are going to give it to them anyway; but this way if they turn it down, they can start looking at others on the slate.
REMEMBER: Not EVERYONE who applies to the academy has it as their FIRST CHOICE!!! I would say that more than 25% don't want the academy as their first choice. In NORMAL YEARS, the academy would OFFER 1700 APPOINTMENTS; because they were guaranteed than around 400-500 were going to TURN IT DOWN!!! That would leave around 1200-1300 for the class. This was normal and happened every year.
Sorry if I'm not answering the question, but it CAN'T be answered. And no matter how hard anyone tries to rationalize it, it can't be done. There's way too many variables. I mentioned a couple. Super athlete being recruited by many other schools. Super brainiac being recruited by many other schools. Applicants they're going to take anyway and have no choice on. etc... None of the nomination categories is looked at first. Well; except MOC nominations. Those MUST be filled first; which is about half of the appointments. Then they look at filling the other half of the class with presidential, numerous military oriented, national pool, etc....