The whole process took me a total of 3 months. However, before applying I made a careful study of what is needed. I bought books and went to on-line sites to get advice. Here's the fruit of my experience:

1) Do hook up with a law firm that specializes in this. (I used Heard & Smith.) They can't charge you a dime, until they win for you. All they get is a percentage of your back benefits. Because my application got approved so fast, the firm that helped me didn't make a penny. (I had no back benefits for them to tap into.) They will get the supporting paper work you need from doctors, hospitals, etc. They will keep you organized.

2) That questionnaire form you filled out is supposed to paint you in very unflattering terms. It needs to depict a person who has gone from failure to more failure. If they have any idea that you are going to school and doing okay with your courses, that right there will disqualify you.

3) Having multiple problems can help. List every health problem, physical and mental, that you have. List every medication you've taken for depression. The more you list, the more likely you may get approved.

4) The younger you are, the tougher it is to get approved. They will figure that you may get better with more treatment.

5) If you get denied, you can start over again with a lawyer's help. Some law firms won't even take you on as client, until you've been denied.