diff --git a/.github/CHANGELOG.md b/.github/CHANGELOG.md
index a31bc3a3..f73728b4 100644
--- a/.github/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/.github/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 -   Add email blast marketing email
 -   Add 3 days left marketing email
+-   Add check to ensure application creation deadline has not passed yet
 
 ### Fixed
 
diff --git a/constants/general.constant.js b/constants/general.constant.js
index ab21eb18..52c7b56c 100644
--- a/constants/general.constant.js
+++ b/constants/general.constant.js
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ const HACKER_STATUSES = [
     HACKER_STATUS_CHECKED_IN,
     HACKER_STATUS_DECLINED
 ];
+// This date is Jan 3, 2020 11:59:59PM EST
+const APPLICATION_CLOSE_TIME = 1578070799000;
 
 const SAMPLE_DIET_RESTRICTIONS = [
     "None",
@@ -111,9 +113,7 @@ const MAX_TEAM_SIZE = 4;
 const WEEK_OF = "Week Of";
 
 const EMAIL_SUBJECTS = {};
-EMAIL_SUBJECTS[
-    HACKER_STATUS_NONE
-] = `Get started on your application!`;
+EMAIL_SUBJECTS[HACKER_STATUS_NONE] = `Get started on your application!`;
 EMAIL_SUBJECTS[
     HACKER_STATUS_APPLIED
 ] = `Thanks for applying to ${HACKATHON_NAME}!`;
@@ -160,6 +160,7 @@ module.exports = {
     HACKER_STATUS_WITHDRAWN: HACKER_STATUS_WITHDRAWN,
     HACKER_STATUS_CHECKED_IN: HACKER_STATUS_CHECKED_IN,
     HACKER_STATUSES: HACKER_STATUSES,
+    APPLICATION_CLOSE_TIME: APPLICATION_CLOSE_TIME,
     REQUEST_TYPES: REQUEST_TYPES,
     JOB_INTERESTS: JOB_INTERESTS,
     SHIRT_SIZES: SHIRT_SIZES,
diff --git a/services/hacker.service.js b/services/hacker.service.js
index 8e0ea501..8cc7f262 100644
--- a/services/hacker.service.js
+++ b/services/hacker.service.js
@@ -17,9 +17,13 @@ const QRCode = require("qrcode");
 function createHacker(hackerDetails) {
     const TAG = `[Hacker Service # createHacker]:`;
 
-    const hacker = new Hacker(hackerDetails);
+    let hacker;
 
-    return hacker.save();
+    if (Date.now() < Constants.APPLICATION_CLOSE_TIME) {
+        hacker = new Hacker(hackerDetails);
+        return hacker.save();
+    }
+    throw new Error("Sorry, the application deadline has passed!");
 }
 
 /**