Yes, my friend went in person and applied. There is a phone number to contact the Canadian Embassy in New York and they just have no service for visa applicants. It is ridiculous. I cant even get them to check if they got my package. Furthermore, they say that the only way to come and check my application status is to schedule a meeting through emailing NewYork-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca. Trust me, I have sent numerous emails to that address the last 10 days and didnt get a single reply. Its funny, before I submitted the application, I emailed them asking for visa processing times and they emailed me back within a day. There they also mentioned it takes approximately 30 days for both mailed and handed-in applications. These guys are so unreliable. I am supposed to present research work in conference, and these visa officers just killed my prospects. I got into the conference on June 26 and applied on June 27. How early could I apply? The immigration officers should prioritize applications by dates, or at least separate conference or special situation visas from tourist visa applications, which they dont. It totally sucks, so unprofessional.
I am still thinking of going there in person tomorrow if time permits, or I will go there on Monday and see whats going on. Maybe they have lost my I-94, I-20, passports everything, in which case I will have nothing to do.