[SceptileMaster]

I have a question about learning Kanji. Well, I'll start with some back story.

I have applied for Japanese Studies at 2 different universities. I already know Hiragana and Katakana and put that on my personal statement but I'm not sure if I should have a go at trying to learn as much Kanji as I can before the course starts... and that's if either of the universities accept me. I don't know much of the actual language yet I know about many basic common nouns, 11 colors, the months of the year, how to count up to 999 and a couple of more nouns, I also know about desu and it's past, negative and past negative forms. It's verbs that I stopped at for the moment. So would it be a good idea to just go to town with learning Kanji before I start the course (if I get accepted) be a good idea?

Now also... I've heard from some sources that learning all the Kanji first is a good idea and have seen many recommendations for Learning The Kanji. But would learning all the Kanji and just they're meaning be a good idea? I'm not so sure especially since I'd have to learn the readings for them all later anyways... would it not be easier to just kill 2 birds with 1 stone? Also since all the meanings are in english could this not hold me back for when I'm trying to use them while reading or writing the language? I don't want to do the translate from english to japanese while writing or translate japanese to english while reading thing... I want to understand it as I do with english.

Sorry if this post is too long and thanks for your time all those that read it but if you could give me your opinions it would really help me.

Thanks in advance for any help.