If you're looking to fly professionally in the future - get a Class 1 now before you spend loads of cash to find out you'll fail the medical.
You can get your Class 2 before or after, again, if you have any medical issues, before is better in case you don't pass.
When you're out there, you still need to do a FAA Class 2 medical to be allowed to go solo, but that basically involves peeing into a cup and having your hands pulled by an MD - no ECG/bloods/etc.