Snail Mail vs. E-mail notification?

[Silent_Bobina]

Now obviously phone notification is typically personal and welcome (although I have noticed a few phone calls that ended in rejection, sorry to all who have suffered) but I was wondering if any schools keep those accepted in the dark until the Snail Mail arrives or vice versa. Is there any significance to an e-mail notification? Is it an automatic rejection if sent by a specific program or school? Or is it the opposite? So far I have found little logic to the notification process and I was wondering if those who have been notified could shed any light on this process?

[cranberry]

There's really no way of knowing what the school chooses to do. I have received acceptances through phone and email and rejections through post and email (a couple directing to a form letter on the application website). Acceptances through snail mail are uncommon but not unheard of, however phone rejections seem to be very rare and the ones I've seen on the results board are usually responses to status inquiries.

[aucinema]

When it comes to this stuff, I have found that the rule is that there are no rules.

[Silent_Bobina]

I had a feeling that was the case considering the extreme variation in types and dates of notification from school to school and program to program. I'm just grabbing at any hint I possibly can...

[Red Bull]

I agree that there seems to be little logic to the notification process. This should be a boon to those who have a feeling that they will not be accepted this year. When I first applied to college (over 6 years ago) mail notification was the standard. Every day I would stare out of the blinds waiting for that familiar white truck to come; I would then sprint for the mailbox and rifle through bills and junk to find (most likely) nothing of interest. Fast forward to this year, when 4/5 notifications of mine are to be sent by email. It is maddening! At any moment of the day or night I could get a rejection or acceptance. Couple this with my possession of a smart phone, which means that I have the means to constantly check. OCD to the max! I almost wish I was back in the day when the snail would bring paper notifications. It certainly seems like it would be more relaxing to my psyche. For one, I wouldn't have to worry on Sundays! Gah!

[Silent_Bobina]

I agree that there seems to be little logic to the notification process. This should be a boon to those who have a feeling that they will not be accepted this year. When I first applied to college (over 6 years ago) mail notification was the standard. Every day I would stare out of the blinds waiting for that familiar white truck to come; I would then sprint for the mailbox and rifle through bills and junk to find (most likely) nothing of interest. Fast forward to this year, when 4/5 notifications of mine are to be sent by email. It is maddening! At any moment of the day or night I could get a rejection or acceptance. Couple this with my possession of a smart phone, which means that I have the means to constantly check. OCD to the max! I almost wish I was back in the day when the snail would bring paper notifications. It certainly seems like it would be more relaxing to my psyche. For one, I wouldn't have to worry on Sundays! Gah!

I was totally thinking about this the other day. I have wasted far more time waiting for some kind of notification because of my e-mail. It's different to only have one chance a day to hear some news. My first response was sent at 2:30 in the morning on a weekend! And now I feel like there could always be another e-mail waiting, even if I checked hours ago. I psyched myself out last night when I got 3 e-mails at once but they were for the NCUR Conference. It's very nerve-wracking.