Timeline (so far)

* February: Discover program, thanks to ielanguages.com

* mid-March until rest of the month: Decide to apply; submit online version of application. Pick (in order of preference): Madrid, Basque Country, Andalusia. Work on essay. Hustle to get recommendations, transcripts, diploma, certificate of health, background check. Mass photocopying. Forget to get background check notarized; goes back to CBI to get it accomplished, then to the Secretary of State for the apostille.

* April 02: Send application, leave out delivery confirmation. Pretty confident it will get to Spanish Embassy by proposed deadline of April 16.

* April 10: Find out, through the potential applicants forum on Expatriate Cafe that the deadline has been extended to May 11.

Hm.