Once you are certain that your application has been received, do not ask the wizards or staff about the status of your applications. This will most definitely not endear you to us. Applications are judged on a continuous basis, and, %ch%cmreal life permitting%cn, you will receive a response within a week's time. If for some reason you have not, only then should you ask after your application status. Keeping real life disruptions in mind, you would do well to really wait at least %ch%cmten%cn days before asking.