I think you'll find the best answers to your questions about the application process, downtime, and classes here:
Deep Springs College: Admissions: The Application Process Deep Springs College: Daily Life: Downtime Deep Springs College: Academics: The Academic Program
Also, there's a great video about Deep Springs that a group called California Connected made a few years ago (I believe the students in the video were DS 02' and 03'?). Check it out if you're interested:
College on the Range - CaliforniaConnected.org
Good luck with whatever you choose to do in your education.