I am interested in participating in the July 10 - 14th training in Dev - 501 (at Bangalore,India), for which I filled the web form.

While awaiting someone from SFDC to contact, I have  a few curiosities:

1) Does not taking Dev - 401 creates a serious handicap?  In which way this can be overcome?

2) Does experience in OODD helps?

3) Would one be equipped sufficiently in order to take the certification exam immediately after the course?

4) Does being a JavaEE architect help?