Lilly-
Thanks for that suggestion! I went back and made extra sure I was doing a clean sign-up, and everything worked. I think the first time I checked the verification email using a browser that may have been logged in as admin in a different window. Though I was acting as the new user in that browser when I first clicked on the verification link, it did not go through correctly. This last time I saw the welcome message and the notice that a moderator must approve the new account.
Thanks again, Lilly!