CSEF FAQ: Decision Dates

I've submitted my application. When should I expect to hear back as to whether or not I'm accepted?

The answer depends upon your fair’s:

Submission Deadline — the date by which you had to press the final "Submit" button on the application to CSEF.

Similarly, CSEF imposes a deadline on itself in an effort to inform students in as timely a manner as possible. This deadline is also determined by the affiliate from which the student has been nominated:

Decision Date — the date on which CSEF will decide whether or not each applicant from the affiliated fair has been accepted. Notification of this decision will be via email and the Fair's web site within one calendar day.

In recent years the Decision Date has been 7 calendar days following the Submission Deadline, subject to the limitation given below, but this may change in future years. For current dates, see the current application. The last of these Decision Dates is special:

Final Decision Date — the date on which CSEF will decide on all applications not previously decided. Notification, again, is within one calendar day. Typically, one-third of all fairs have their Decision Date on the Final Decision Date.

Traditionally, the Final Decision Date has been 16 calendar days preceding the Fair. Given that all participants are at this point determined, on this date the process of constructing the Fair begins. This includes everything from the assignment of project numbers and project display locations to the physical production of the Program of Projects, certificates, and nametags.