Although it is only October, college application deadlines are right around the corner, or have already passed, for many seniors. Recent issues with a major application site have added unforeseen obstacles to the process.

The Common Application, a non-profit organization that houses over 500 university applications online, is meant to make this already stressful process simpler. However, due to recent glitches in the system the website has had the opposite effect.

A new version of the Common Application was launched on Aug. 1. Since then, many problems with the system have been presented. The inability to login, difficulty uploading properly formatted documents, payments not being processed (and as a result being charged twice), and inability to preview the final application are the most commonly reported issues.

The Common Application said in a statement: “these issues also have the potential to impact processes and deadlines for our member colleges, and we are especially appreciative of colleges that have taken steps to reassure students and parents.”

Some schools with early deadlines had to extend the due date a week, including Columbia, Dartmouth, Duke, Northwestern, and University of Chicago. Other schools, like Princeton, offer another website option for applicants.

The crash has caused a nationwide panic, especially for students applying through early action or early decision. Deadlines for each of these programs are in the fall, typically between mid-October and mid-November. Admission rates are usually higher for these applicants and the decision is given before the New Year, but the Common App’s glitches are causing difficulty with this process.

“We are committed to resolving these issues promptly,” the Common Application stated. “We are encouraged that application submissions are up 25 percent over the same period last year, an indication that the system is functioning properly for the majority of users.”

While this year’s system seems to be causing an abnormal amount of problems, senior counselor Dana Steines says that issues with the site are not foreign to her.

“Since I’ve been the senior counselor, there have always been issues with the Common App,” she said. “On the counselor end, its not very user-friendly.”

Although Steines has not had any student come to her because of issues with the site, she would advise anyone who may have trouble to stay in contact with their universities regarding application status, be organized with documents, and keep up with deadlines.