Hi, all. Long time lurker, and I know I have no cred with you all, but I talked to a woman on the mypers hotline earlier this month when we thought vsp was kicking off on the 14th.
When I asked about the most important time, she said the date/time stamp happens when you, the member, clicks the final submit button on your application. At that point your CC will get an auto email to go start the approval process. I pressed to test that on the 14th just in case and my CC did get an email. She said that your application will be part of the batch based upon your stamp (sts) not your CC's approval. Not sure I buy that all the way, but it's what she said.
Hope that helps someone.