<p>I will have to be starting soon, so…</p>
<li><p>how long do they usually take?</p></li>
<li><p>Do colleges prefer to see their own app over the common app?</p></li>
<li><p>Is “the catcher in the rye” subject very cliched?</p></li>
<li><p>why does the common app release a new application each year if the essay topics remain the same?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>1) They take as much time as you are willing to put into them</p>
<p>2) Nope. That's what supplements are for.</p>
<p>3) a. What do you mean? b. Any given subject may seem cliche, but when done properly can be anything but, so if it is a good topic for you personally, then go for it.</p>
<p>4) If they didn't, then there would be a large number of people freaking out that they might have the wrong copy. And sometimes things other than the essays might change.</p>