Hi everyone! I've been lurking for a while but this is my first time posting. I realized tonight as I was about to submit an application that I hadn't actually paid for CAS (which explained why I wasn't getting promotional emails unlike all of my friends). I panicked and just paid for it, but based on my understanding my application won't be read until CAS does its magic. Is that true? If it is, there's no reason for me to submit now, since I might as well work on my personal statement in the meantime. Does anyone have a sense for how long it takes during this time of the year, since I imagine they must be incredibly backed up?

Thanks!