Unfortunately, I'm not sure there's anyway to avoid some level of wank. Leaving them screened will result in people getting pissed that they weren't allowed to apply despite having no way of knowing they were over the limit. Unscreening will (sadly) most likely lead to people being jerks over on the anoncomms and once people get in if they're screened the same thing will happen.

The only way I can think of that would minimize this as much as possible would be to have someone who is able to see the application comments reply with something like "We have received your application" so people can keep track that way. It still leaves a period of lack of updates when people are sleeping, but it's the only thing I can think of.