<p>If I'm using the common app and I'm applying to about 8-9 schools? </p>
<p>Those who already are in college, could you share how many essays you wrote when applying?</p>
<p>Write an essay for the common app. Then research your schools and see which ones require a supplement (and essay). 1 + (number of schools that require supplement essay) = total essays</p>
<p>Just one essay - you send the same common app essay to all 8-9 schools. </p>
<p>Each school probably has their own supplement, which also may require a short essay or other writing. For those, you'll need to write an essay for each one, if the question prompts are different from college to college. You might get essay prompts that are similar, and you could probably use the same essay for one supplement for another supplement (or maybe with minor changes.)</p>