When The Internet Breaks: Another Reminder Not To Wait Until The Last Minute For College Apps

If you missed the news, earlier this week Amazon Web Services (AWS) — the cloud provider that powers thousands of websites and applications — experienced a major outage that knocked out everything from streaming services to business software to, yes, some college portals.
For many students, that outage hit at the worst possible moment: days before the first early deadlines. Suddenly, the clock was ticking, and the system they needed most was down.

Sound familiar? It should. Longtime readers might remember the piece we wrote back in 2021 about a similar tech meltdown — the Common App outage that left students like “Bethany” staring at error messages just minutes before a scholarship deadline. And waaaay back in 2013 the Common App also experienced a major outage a day before the October 15 Early Action deadlines, causing near panic on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, as thousands of applicants were unable to submit applications to UNC and other schools.

Same story, different platform. The moral hasn’t changed.

Lesson #1: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Let me be clear: technology fails. Servers crash. Wi-Fi drops. Even the most reliable systems can (and will) go dark. What matters is how much margin you’ve built in before that happens.
Bethany learned this the hard way back in 2021, when the Common App went down at 10:43 p.m. before Boston University’s scholarship deadline. Fortunately, she had a plan, a counselor (me) on call, and an admissions officer she’d already built a relationship with. The result? Calm, action, and ultimately, success.

That’s why we always tell our students: treat your submission date like it’s three to five days earlier than the official deadline. Think of it like catching a flight — you don’t show up at the gate at boarding time. You plan ahead for security lines, delays, and yes, the occasional storm.
Colleges will never penalize you for being early. But they can’t always help you if you’re late because of an outage.

Lesson #2: Build Relationships Before You Need Them

Admissions officers are people — real, living, breathing humans — not faceless gatekeepers behind a portal. They chose this profession because they like working with students.

If you’ve already introduced yourself (by email, virtual event, or campus visit), that connection becomes invaluable when something goes wrong. In Bethany’s case, she had already established rapport with her BU rep, so when the system crashed, she had a name, an email address, and a relationship she could rely on.

It’s much easier to say, “I’ve been in touch with you about my application — here’s what happened,” than to send a cold email at 11:55 p.m. asking for help.

So, reach out early and respectfully. Introduce yourself. Ask smart questions about the school, not about your odds. It’s not about “working the system” — it’s about being proactive, professional, and human.

Lesson #3: “Submit” Isn’t the Finish Line

One more cautionary item: hitting “submit” is a milestone, not a mic drop. Submitting your college application doesn’t mean that you’re done. It’s more like reaching the 15th hole at Augusta — you’ve made progress, but there’s still golf left to play. The process continues. Here’s what you must be doing after you click that submit button:

1. Keep your grades up.
   Colleges often request first-semester (and sometimes second-semester) grades before finalizing admission or scholarship decisions. A strong finish can tip the balance your way; a slide can raise red flags.
2. Complete any remaining requirements.
   • Confirm that your test scores (if required) were officially sent from the testing service. Many schools allow you to self-report before you’re admitted. Know the difference, and act accordingly.
      
   • Ensure your financial aid forms — the FAFSA and CSS Profile — are submitted on time and correctly.
   • Don’t forget your STARS (Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System) for appropriate schools, or the SPARK form for UCF.
3. Check your email and portal regularly.
   Colleges communicate through email an their portals — missing an update can delay or even derail your application. Log in at least once a week, respond promptly, and keep track of to-dos.

The point is simple: until you get that official confirmation (and ultimately, an admission decision), your application journey is still in motion.

The Bottom Line

Outages like this week’s AWS crash remind us of something bigger than technology: control what you can control. You can’t prevent a server from crashing or a website from going down. But you can choose to start early, double-check your submissions, and nurture relationships with the people who will read your file.

Bethany did that in 2021. Jordan did it this week. Both learned that the college process isn’t just about deadlines — it’s about discipline, foresight, and connection.

So if you’re the parent of a junior or senior, now’s the time to start building that cushion of time and trust. Don’t let an outage — or procrastination — write your student’s story. If you’d like help structuring your student’s timeline or building an outreach plan that keeps surprises to a minimum, then let’s connect.

Because as we’ve learned (again), college admissions isn’t just about where you apply — it’s about how you plan.