How do I create an email auto-responder?

4) how do I create an auto response email that goes to me and to the applicant ( we are a university)

When you create a form it has by default an email notification, the same when you add an email field to your form, an email auto-responder is added automatically. 

However, here is the guide to add an email auto-responder to a form: Creating-a-Form-Autoresponder

If you want to change or add a new email recipient address, this guide will help: How-to-Properly-Add-Change-and-Test-a-New-Email-Recipient-Address

Hope this helps.