Definitely get a Class I if you are planning for a CPL route later on. There are a great many Doctors that do both the FAA and JAA which will save you money as you do need a FAA Class III student medical to fly solo legally in the US of A.
As for writtens, doesn't matter where you go they will all recommend that you do as many as you can before you get there. If you can't get to take any then defintely prep up on the books. Everyone says that is what bogs them down - the flying is the easy bit! Then you may actually have some spare time to go to the beach!!!!
