<p>Last year at this time, a freak snowstorm knocked out power for days and days in the Mid-Atlantic and northeast. Many students who lived in affected areas were sent into a panic when they couldn't submit their applications, either because they had no power, or because they had no Internet. (In the end, many colleges and universities offered extensions for such students, but a lot of high-school seniors had a very tense time of it.) In addition, many colleges and universities in affected areas had their power and their Internet knocked out for days on end, so that even students who had power and broadband couldn't submit their applications.</p>
<p>This year, Hurricane Sandy may mix with a powerful cold-air mass moving across the country to create havoc in the Mid-Atlantic and northeast. Power, phone lines and internet could once again be out for up to a week. (Hurricane</a> Sandy: Potential Serious U.S. Impacts - weather.com)</p>
<p>So maybe it's a good idea to finish up those Nov. 1 applications this weekend!</p>