<p>I am planning on applying to about 6 schools with my common app.
I have been so busy recently I just haven't had time for the application. How long does it typically take for the common app itself? When should I aim to have it completed by for a January 1st deadline? How long do supplements typically take? (Stanford/Emory/NYU/Fordham/etc.)
I kind of want to wait until my SAT scores come out next week so I have a better idea of my reaches. I'm not applying to any ivies and maybe one top LAC. Should I expect maybe 6-8 hours for common and 2 for each supplement? Just trying to get an idea. Thanks so much to any who can help!</p>
<p>It really depends on what you have done. If you have done a good job of keeping a current document of your activities and accomplishments - the application itself is not difficult to fill out. If you haven’t - it will take more time. The next part would be the essays - again, if you have worked on this, not so bad. But if you haven’t, that will take time …and each school has it’s own supplements. I would suggest you start - you can save your work and continue.</p>
<p>Majority of the application is just basic information about yourself, it’s just the writing that most people get stuck on. If you already have a college essay in place, you’re pretty much set. Supplements may also take some time, but not as long as the common app writing because they have designated questions they’d like you to answer and they’re usually much shorter and limited in word count. Try to finish everything a week before, or even 2 weeks before because I’m guessing you’d like to enjoy your holiday break. 
Best wishes!</p>
<p>Alright, thanks a lot!
I need to narrow my list of schools down a bit before doing supplements, but I’ll try to start on the common app this weekend. Hopefully I’ll spend all day Saturday writing up essays and what not.
I had two teachers write me recommendations for my flagship. Should I ask them to revise the recommendations for schools like Stanford that are ultra selective? And maybe make known how important every aspect of my app is? Or will that just p**s them off…</p>
<p>Well, first off, if you chose teachers that will represent you well, and you have faith in them that they wrote a good recommendation for you, then there is no need to pester them about writing a new recommendation just for Stanford. I understand that it’s really selective and that you want to get in, but keep in mind that you’re not the only student who is asking for a teacher rec, they probably have a lot more to do. Teachers usually write a generic rec that will fit for every college that you apply to.</p>
<p>Eh, I go to a VERY small school. My graduating class has 19 students in it, so the teachers shouldn’t have toooo many requests :p</p>
<p>Alright, if you feel if it’s REALLY necessary, I’d day go for it. Best of luck getting accepted into Stanford!</p>