I just got my official "your proposal will not be recommended" email for Japan. Disappointing to be sure but at least I know! Should probably have followed my gut and applied to China or Taiwan for better odds, but nothing to be done now except cry over a beer and accept the alternative summer job that was waiting on me.
Good luck to everyone who is still waiting to hear and those who are already accepted!
I emailed last week asking when they planned to send out negative notifications as I have a summer job offer to respond to by today and haven't heard anything back, so... probably but they didn't respond to my request for more info about it.
Yup, I was hoping for today too. I jump daily between job hunting for the summer and thinking about my planned project. Even more agonizing because I graduated in December and haven't taken other jobs while I wait because I REALLY want to do my planned research in Japan. My local sponsor/advisor is really excited too, I'm dreading having to tell him if I don't get it.
I got the same response about dates, and understood that orientation was for all participants regardless of program location. Also, it's Monday/Tuesday with return home on Wednesday, so the 28-30 would need to be taken off from class/work if you aren't on spring break that week. That was my understanding, anyway.