Nominations can sometimes take a while and they want to make sure that
a. They don't send out too many offers at once
b. They don't want to have other applicants wait for a chance at fellowships
If you have more than 2-3 offers, it's generally polite to reject whatever isn't a top 3 offer to allow others a chance at funding/acceptances.
From reading this, it sounds like you are set on Syracuse. Go for it. What's the point in spending years in a program if you don't like what the program has to offer? Neither place is going to guarantee a job. It all depends on how much effort you put into improving yourself when you go on the Market.
If Penn is the best program fit for you, go to Penn. If there's another school with a better fit, go to it.
Besides fit, funding matters. Are you comfortable with the stipend they provide when compared to your current lifestyle?
Just as important: which schools could you see yourself devoting the next half-full decade at?
http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=boston+university+%22deaf+education%22&t=a&o=
Previous posts seem to indicate in early-mid march. Applications aren't due to Feb 1st.