This is interesting. I'm curious why the notification process behaves differently for different applicants. Ostensibly, the DoS uses the same software for processing and notification. My only guess is that notifications are triggered with one or more optional check-boxes that need to be clicked and some DoS employees just don't bother. If that's the case, this is poor process/UI design. If an applicant chooses to be notified, as I did, they should receive all status updates automatically (and promptly). Otherwise, the system should just send minimal notifications or none at all.

(I'm NOT complaining. This has been a wonderful experience for me. )