Any insight into delay between e-submit and mailing?

[EpiWin]

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Hey all, I e-submitted a few applications on the last day of November for Dec. 1st deadlines, but nothing's been mailed out and my GPA is still being calculated. Does anyone have any insight on how it takes for SOPHAS to mail out the actual applications once an e-submit takes place?

 

[MkeBaltiAbqRN]

Nope, but I'm in the exact same part of this process. I've given up on trying to will it: things will move when they move.

 

[member 13588]

E-submitted 11/27, GPA calculated 12/6, expected mailing date 12/13 (they mail out on Tuesdays). I expect you're somewhere right behind me, although you probably e-submitted with a massive horde of people for the Dec. 1st deadline, so who knows, you're probably in the bottleneck.

 

[JMM051]

I don't know if there website says it still but it used to advise students that it can (and sometimes does) take up 4-6 weeks to process. As another poster has said, when you submit has a lot to do with it, as those that submit early tend to have a shorter processing time compared to right before a major deadline (dec 1st, dec 15th, jan 15th, etc.)

 

[EpiWin]

Dangit, yeah I figured this is when the crush of applicants comes in. Thanks for the help!

 

[mystal]

Same situation here!

 

[angelzstar]

I also submitted on December 1st. Just to make sure, since I'm getting a little paranoid, is this what it says for you guys?

There are no GPAs available. This may because one or more of your transcripts may not have been received and/or verified by SOPHAS yet.

 

[mattelevy]

After I paid my application fees, that's what it said for me until SOPHAS calculated my GPA. It just means that they have not yet calculated your SOPHAS GPA (most likely due to the high number of applicants around this time).

 

[EpiWin]

SOPHAS email says:

"As it states in our FAQs, https://portal.sophas.org/applicants2012/faq/general.shtml#twenty, your
application can take up to FOUR (4) weeks from when it is COMPLETE to be
processed, although it can take a shorter length of time.

As long as you e-submit your application by the deadline date, SOPHAS will
process your application once it is COMPLETE, but it is your schools decision
whether they consider it on time. However, if you have any concerns regarding
whether or not you have met your deadline, please contact the school directly.
We strongly advise you to contact your designated schools to find out exactly
what they require to be done by their deadline date."

My GPA calculation says the same thing as angelzstar.

 

[angelzstar]

After I paid my application fees, that's what it said for me until SOPHAS calculated my GPA. It just means that they have not yet calculated your SOPHAS GPA (most likely due to the high number of applicants around this time).

SOPHAS email says:

My GPA calculation says the same thing as angelzstar.

That's good. I was getting scared that I missed something, or that it was a computer error or something. lol.

 

[EpiWin]

SOPHAS just emailed me saying that my GPA calculation was completed. E-submitted my first app Nov. 30th. All apps will be mailed out in their next mailing.

 

[H20Propre]

Hey all, I e-submitted a few applications on the last day of November for Dec. 1st deadlines, but nothing's been mailed out and my GPA is still being calculated. Does anyone have any insight on how it takes for SOPHAS to mail out the actual applications once an e-submit takes place?

As I remember, there's a rush around this date, such that it bumps up pretty close to the four week estimate.

 

[angelzstar]

SOPHAS just emailed me saying that my GPA calculation was completed. E-submitted my first app Nov. 30th. All apps will be mailed out in their next mailing.

Yes! Hopefully mine gets updated next week since I submitted on Dec 1 around 12am

 

[EpiWin]

Quick question, SOPHAS emailed me saying that my application would be mailed out today, and under my "School Designations" tab, under mailing status it says "New." (along with mailing date 12/20) Is the "New" going to change into another status later on? Does that mean that everything is sent out?

 

[Drivers]

Yes! That is what all of mine say and I have received confirmation from some schools that they received them.

 

[EpiWin]

Excellent, thanks!

 

[Veggie Monster]

Quick question, SOPHAS emailed me saying that my application would be mailed out today, and under my "School Designations" tab, under mailing status it says "New." (along with mailing date 12/20) Is the "New" going to change into another status later on? Does that mean that everything is sent out?

did your status change from "new" to something else?

mine is still "new"

 

[Drivers]

did your status change from "new" to something else?

mine is still "new"

Mine still says new and Harvard confirmed receiving it today.

 

[Veggie Monster]

Mine still says new and Harvard confirmed receiving it today.

how did H confirm? via sophas or email?

 

[Drivers]

how did H confirm? via sophas or email?

Via Email. They said they would not be accepting people til late February or late March. FYI - the subject said
"HSPH has received your SOPHAS application"

 

[DeeLovely79]

did your status change from "new" to something else?

mine is still "new"

It will continue to say new unless you find an error in your application which SOPHAS has to revise. So in my case SOPHAS classified several social science classes as "other" it only took them a day change the classes and re-calculate my GPA however my applications were already mailed out.

When I asked the SOPHAS rep about the changes to my application I was told that another revised application would be mailed out. About a week later another line appear under the mail section with a new date a "revised" underneath the line that reads "new". Hope this helps.

 

[Veggie Monster]

It will continue to say new unless you find an error in your application which SOPHAS has to revise. So in my case SOPHAS classified several social science classes as "other" it only took them a day change the classes and re-calculate my GPA however my applications were already mailed out.

When I asked the SOPHAS rep about the changes to my application I was told that another revised application would be mailed out. About a week later another line appear under the mail section with a new date a "revised" underneath the line that reads "new". Hope this helps.

soo...new is good!

 

[Emsy]

In the same boat, I paid for everything on 11/22 and SOPHAS finally updated my transcript on 12/05 but still stuck at the GPA calculating part.

Starting to get pretty nervous about the January 15th deadline, I certainly hope SOPHAS hurries the f up after the new year.

 

[mwdl4life]

Sophas App completed 12/1, mailed out 12/28. Good luck everyone!

 

[mystal]

E-submitted 12/3. SOPHAS finally calculated my GPA (several points higher than my official GPA, yay!) and says they will send it out tomorrow (1/3)!

 

[undergrad1234]

Does anyone know how fast the schools receive your application once it's mailed? Less than week or more?? Thanks!

 

[EpiWin]

It's all submitted electronically, schools should receive them immediately.

 

[cali99boy]

If I am able to e-submit, it means I have everything completed right?

I e-submitted on 12/20 and got the instant email saying "Congratulations, you've successfully e-submitted...". Only thing SOPHAS rep said was missing was my GRE scores which I assume will be uploaded to them once one of the schools I applied to sends them.

I feel so screwed for applying so late

 

[member 13588]

Another question for veterans and current applicants:
After my first 12/13 mailing, I added additional designations and submitted again in January. Does anybody know if the additional designations will be sent out *faster* now that they have already been sent/calculated/etc. once before?

Thanks for any feedback in advance!

 

[Drivers]

Another question for veterans and current applicants:
After my first 12/13 mailing, I added additional designations and submitted again in January. Does anybody know if the additional designations will be sent out *faster* now that they have already been sent/calculated/etc. once before?

Thanks for any feedback in advance!

Hi- I am a current applicant and from my experience so far, it was a few days quicker because they didn't have to calculate my GPA again. Both my initial mailings only took about a week and so did my second. As long as they have already received everything, I'd assume it would go out the next mailing. I did do my applications early (Nov and early Dec) so it may be different!

 

[mystal]

I just got an email from Tulane saying, "Review usually takes between 5 and 10 working days." That seems so fast! Is that normal? Do most schools review applications that fast?

 

[JMM051]

Not only does it vary by school, it varies by department too. In the past I have seen Tulane have a quick turnaround but also a really long turnaround as well (epi and international health were at a week at points and community health took almost 3 months).

 

[360823]

I e-submitted on sophas dec 1 for most and one school on the 5th. It's January 8th. No GPA calculations and nothing has been mailed out. I'm scared and frustrated. Two school deadlines past and one schools final deadline is coming up. =/

I already have poor stats so I'm even more nervous.

I wonder if anybody from the last cycle went through this and how it worked out for them.

 

[MkeBaltiAbqRN]

I e-submitted on sophas dec 1 for most and one school on the 5th. It's January 8th. No GPA calculations and nothing has been mailed out. I'm scared and frustrated. Two school deadlines past and one schools final deadline is coming up. =/

I already have poor stats so I'm even more nervous.

I wonder if anybody from the last cycle went through this and how it worked out for them.

I had a similar timeline: submitted Nov. 21/22; app complete Dec. 1. I called on Dec. 28, as it had been 4 weeks. The guy I spoke with was very polite and said he didn't know why my GPA had not yet been calculated. I received an email about 50 minutes later saying everything looked good and the application was mailed shortly there after.

Moral: its legit to call if it has, in fact, been 3-4 weeks after you submitted and the application was completed. SOPHAS representatives can be pleasant and helpful.

 

[Jamiefrances]

I e-submitted on sophas dec 1 for most and one school on the 5th. It's January 8th. No GPA calculations and nothing has been mailed out. I'm scared and frustrated. Two school deadlines past and one schools final deadline is coming up. =/

I already have poor stats so I'm even more nervous.

I wonder if anybody from the last cycle went through this and how it worked out for them.

I already submitted in November but sent in transcripts to update (increase) my GPA, and ended up calling because nothing has been calculated yet, etc.. Everyone was very nice, and they simply explained that they were really backed up. (I work at admissions at my undergrad institution-- and we're the same way right now)

However, since you are still waiting for your stuff to be sent out and have missed deadlines, it might really be worth calling them just to be safe. In the very least maybe they can ease your mind. Try emailing the schools, too. I emailed Columbia and asked them to wait for my new GPA, and some other SOPHAS stuff, and as of yesterday, they are still patiently waiting, even though their deadline was December 15th.

 

[JMM051]

I just wanted to give an update for those out there waiting. I e-submitted on 12/15 and I just got the e-mail saying my GPA is calculated and my app will be out in the next cycle.

 

[360823]

I'm pleased to hear that you guys got nice representatives. The person I talked to was not pleasant at all and he hung up on me before I could finish asking further questions.

He told me that it says my application was finalized on 12/16 and from that date it will take 2-3 weeks for them to send it out.

If nothing happens by the end of this week. I'll call again.

 

[RumbaToMD]

I think I screwed myself over! I e-submitted the SOPHAS application on 1/2 because I was waiting for a letter of recommendation to be submitted to complete all the required documents . I have three 1/15 deadlines (Columbia, Michigan and Yale)...does that mean my application is considered LATE even though it was e-submitted to SOPHAS prior to 1/15?

 

[Vayu]

Tough one RumbaToMD. SOPHAS does allow you to e-submit prior to submission of references. In such a scenario, it is my understanding that they go about calculating your gpa and then send out the documents when the references respond. By waiting to e-submit, SOPHAS will almost assuredly not send your app to the schools by 1/15.

However, I'm not sure if the schools will count your app on time based on when you e-submitted, or based on when SOPHAS sends it out. Furthermore, depending on the school, the deadlines may not be set in stone (some schools have rolling applications, but still list deadlines). All you can do is hope for the best. You might consider contacting a professor or academic coordinator at the school in question to let them know your app is on its way. Good luck!

 

[anteater1]

Hi RumbaToMD,

Go to Deadline section in the FAQ for SOPHAS. Read the answer for: Q: What will happen if my transcripts, recommendations and/or payment arrive after the program deadline date?

As you can see, the term deadline means e-submitting the application to SOPHAS (Yale, Michigan) and submitting and are required docs received by SOPHAS (Columbia). According to this definition, you should be fine.

 

[anteater1]

I e-submitted on 12/27 and I'm nervously waiting for SOPHAS to send out my application. I'm going to give them a call if they don't send it out by the end of next week!

Although the deadline for Yale means the deadline to e-submit to SOPHAS, I'm still really nervous.

 

[cali99boy]

I e-submitted on 12/27 and I'm nervously waiting for SOPHAS to send out my application. I'm going to give them a call if they don't send it out by the end of next week!

Although the deadline for Yale means the deadline to e-submit to SOPHAS, I'm still really nervous.

Is your GPA calculation already completed? I e-submitted mine on 12/20 and my GPA still says "There are no GPAs available. This may because one or more of your transcripts may not have been received and/or verified by SOPHAS yet."

 

[JMM051]

Anteater-Mine was submitted on the 15th of December and only got verified two days ago. I would wait until the end of next week before contacting them. It took the full 4 weeks for mine, and while it may be moving faster now, it has only been two weeks and at this time I don't think they work that fast.

 

[anteater1]

Thanks JMM051! I know they're pretty slow, so I guess I should just learn to be patient.

Cali99boy, my GPA has not been calculated 🙁.

 

[egg12]

E-submitted: 11/26/11
GPAs finalized: 12/6/11
Mailed: 12/13/11

Got emails saying apps were received starting 12/13 (same day??), then 12/20, then 12/21. Still haven't received confirmation from two schools. Is it proper to send those schools emails asking for verification?

 

[anteater1]

Egg, it shouldn't hurt to ask. It's already been a month since it's been sent. Some of the schools might just be slow updating things after the holidays (that's what one of the programs I applied to told me... not MPH).

 

[cali99boy]

Ok guys, I'm reporting in.

E-submitted: 12/20
Verified: 1/13
Mailed: Next batch"...will be included in the next weekly mailing to your designated schools of public health" 😀

So, just about 3 weeks on the dot for me

 

[Vayu]

E-submitted 12/21

verified 1/18

 

[LadyLexus1]

My app was e-submitted and complete on 1/6 and was verified today (1/23)!

So about two weeks, which I was very surprised by! Maybe they are moving faster or started verifying my coursework when my transcript was received on 12/31.

 

[OneDay81]

I also sent my transcripts very early so maybe mine will be done this week! I submitted on 1/10