The big social media outreach aimed at under represented groups began a whole week ahead of the deadline? Wow, they were really planning ahead! If the FAA is so desperate to hire new controllers, why not have a continuous application process, even if they only select candidates a few times a year. I understand that they need to have the applicants available to fill a training class, but restricting the process to just a few weeks each year seems to work against their need to effectively recruit applicants. Missed the deadline? Ooh too bad, come back next year. Not exactly a great way to attract new applicants.