I didn't have references called and was not selected to continue (interviewed 22 June with DB on 13 July). However, I know a few folks who got hired without any references being called. Also, the reference check is NOT a guarantee that you make it thru the DB. A fellow in my group had his called and he was not selected. I've seen other posts that suggest that if you didn't do well in the interview (my case), your refs won't be called as you didn't pass the first wicket. Don't give up hope, but don't expect to get a letter right away either if you didn't make it. I couldn't survive the weekend, so I called Kim U. at PD this last Friday to find out. She confirmed my letter was on the way. Calls started going out last Monday. I'm sure there is a method to the notification process. It's just difficult for those of us in limbo-land to survive thru it.