Hi everyone.
Today I used the online application status checker for one of my schools. Until now, the status has been "under review by department". Now, the status says "awaiting final grad review." I have never received anything other than automatically generated emails from this school. Does my new status mean that the dept has recommended me, and the grad school just has to give the final OK? I mean, why would the grad school need to do a final review if the dept didn't recommend me anyway. This ambiguity among grad schools is driving me crazy. I want to be hopeful, but I don't want to be overly excited and then have my hopes smashed. Any thoughts are welcome.