Can confirm- Interviews this weekend and then first weekend of August, which the calls have already been made for. That will probably be it for 2008 unless there are changes to fleet numbers. All new hires will be told to not expect a start until 2009, which will most likely be on 737 or 777. There is an upcoming surplus of pilots so LWOP and downtraining to other fleets is being offered.
A degree is certainly not a requirement, I know of plenty of guys in recent times who have got in without one. Best advice I could offer is to keep updating when you reach milestones.