It really varies from school to school and program to program. For my program at my choice school, the application season opened early September 2013 for admission for fall 2014. I applied on October 17, 2013, and here we are nearly 5 months later and I haven't heard a peep. The wait is brutal.
On UBC's grad website it says decisions are made from mid-March going forward, however, as there are acceptances popping up daily on the results page, I'm guessing this varies widely by program.
Has anyone who applied to UBC using the online grad account portal seen an update in his / her application status? Mine has been showing a blank "status" section since I applied way back in October. All of my documents have been sent and verified received as of early December.
I've actually unsubscribed from so many automated emails because it's driving me insane! Every time the mail alert dings on my phone (which is umpteen times per day) I get so excited, only to find it's another damn email from Best Buy or Walmart or some other chain my husband has signed us up for. I'm always hoping the next "ding" will be it!