Re : AVM Date Question
The date in AVM is a day before the notice date on your 485 receipt notice. Normally it takes anywhere between 4-8 weeks for them to issue a receipt notice.
Ex : You sent your application say Aug 10,2000 (this will be the receipt date on your receipt notice!). The AVM will day "We recd your application on Sep 3 and sent you a notice - the notice date on your receipt notice will read Sep 4, 2000.
In any case I have heard that the cases are picked up chronologically(?) by receipt date on receipt notice (in this case Aug 10, 2000).
Best of luck!
Hope that helps!