<p>since most colleges who conduct alum interview need app submitted a month or so before deadline, does that mean that if i'm using the common app, i have to finish the whole app and submit it?</p>
<p>Not exactly b/c I believe that schools open up a file for you once you send just one form, though I could be very well mistaken about this. Also, many schools conduct interviews with apps even being submitted. I know I did my Harvey Mudd interview in October and I didn't mail any of my app until about early December so there's always that option b/c they will keep the interview file in a different place and once all you stuff comes in they'll add it.</p>