The student's own choices may affect the decision: the clearest example is the Hat telling Harry that he would do well in Slytherin in the first book, but ultimately selecting Gryffindor after Harry asks it not to put him in Slytherin.
Non obstante, a elección do estudante pode afectar á decisión: un claro exemplo é Harry, que segundo o Sombreiro debera ir en Slytherin, pero finalmente acaba en Gryffindor despois de que Harry lle pedira que non o seleccionase para Slytherin.