i got the email at the begining of the month as you had mentioned. while it is not a personal letter, it's nice to know where you stand.
in general, i am hearing back from PDs or chairs via email shortly after the interviews in regards to my "fitting in" at their programs...i imagine this is the norm. so while these contacts have been very personal, i don't take it to mean that i'm all that special.
who knows what it all means.
but as stated, if there is somewhere you want to go, make it known.