As many on this thread, I as well am new. I have just received my plastic today.
I know I know this is "The waiting room" and I am no longer waiting... I just wanted to say bye to you guys and thanks for the supporting words.
Although I signed up only today, I have been on this thread for quite some time now. I must say, it did get stressful...
...but in the end the conversations on this forum reassured me that progress was being made, even if my status wouldnt change for WEEEEEEEEEEEKS at a time.
I think I can give a unique prospective on the waiting time, since my better half and I have sent our applications in at the same time.
But before I go there I will admit our time between our class and the day we submitted our paperwork is very long. Its not like we procrastinated or anything, we ended up traveling a bit and havent got around to finishing the final steps. (I already know someone will comment about this)
Anyway long story short, around February13th (I believe), My gf and I go down to the postoffice so I could ask the lady if the forever stamp was enough for our letters. I HAD to ask! So the lady weighs mine and says "yup, your good". She then proceeds to weighs my gfs and says "you need an additional 20 cents..."
At this point I halt EVERYTHING.... "Babe.... why does yours weigh more? did I forget something????" I went through it a few times in my head and it all checked out.... so reluctantly I let the post lady take my envelope as well.
In the car later my gf laughs and admits she accidentally left a paperclip to hold her paperwork together.
Days go by, then a couple of weeks. One of our friends that took the class with us had got his within 2 weeks, so I figured 3 weeks max.
(He didnt wait as long as we did to submit the paperwork though, not that that effects your processing time, but evidently no one else must have been sending their paperwork in at that time)
As week three passes by, I remember all of a sudden that we can check our status online!
So as soon as I get home I logon..... only to find... NOTHING.
"application waiting to arrive..." or something along those lines....
WHAT??
so this is when I start wondering if other people have been moving along. And I stumble upon this magnificent forum. 
Reading the words of my fellow applicants, kept my mind at ease "at least im not the only one waiting" .... lets face it, im not the only one that wondered if my application was the ONE and only application that was lost or misplaced...
Towards the end of week 4 my status changed to background review!! YESSSS!!!!
But then I read that this stage could be the longest stage.... and has been for some.. I decided not to check my status everyday and just let it be.
on the other hand (and this is why I think I can share two points of view)
My gfs status had not changed... mine when from nothing for almost four weeks to background review, while hers remained untouched.
Of course I immediately regress to my childhood "Nah Nah
" .... just kidding of course.Another week and a half go by and hers is still the same. We cannot understand this, so we decide to call.
The gentleman on the phone said that her paperwork had indeed arrived and any further updates will be posted on her status.
Satisfied with the info she gets to sleep with less worries.
Week 6 comes around and my status changes to manufacturing in progress!!!!!
Super excited I tell my gf to check..... and nothing...
We then thought "maybe yours is next in line after mine..."
End of week 6 (Friday march 16) and my status changes to MAILED.
Awesome!!!
So we check my gfs and NOTHING
My gf decides to call again and they tell her, her plastic will be mailed on monday the 19th
I still teased her that mine would probably get to me by tuesday
However it didnt show up tuesday... so I thought... it has to be wednesday... but only bills came in.
Today Thursday both of ours showed up
We are both very happy to have our little plastic cards, the wait was quite an adventure!
The funny part is that her status still has not changed.
So for anyone who has been wondering why your status hasnt changed, fear not, because there is still a possibility that you are much closer than you believe
