First -- welcome to the AC forum.

Some questions already answered
1) If I achieve 35,000 miles by the end of this month will I receive elite status or do I not get that until next year? Some threads seemed to suggest a new policy was in place that the status would not kick in until the following year.
- you will get it right away (within a month anyway it seems)

2) As an Elite member there are no opportunities to upgrade using miles but you do receive certificates. These certificates can be used on certain, higher fares but cannot be guarenteed at the time of purchasing that fare. So one buys the higher fare and hopes the upgrade clears. Is that correct?

3) What is the difference between the various upgrade certificates and the pros/cons to each.

you can get special system wide upgrades which are eligible on most non-Tango fares. The system wides are useable on H and higher fares. As Elite you are lower down the pecking order for getting upgrades but the more limited ability to upgrade (less certificates in circulation and no use of miles) means Elites have a pretty good shot on some routes. If you buy M or Y fares, you can upgrade at time of purchase for international routes (excl. US for M) and 4 days out for US M fares and other cheaper fares on all routes. This puts you behind SEs who upgrade 7 days out (as well as at time of booking for M Y as described above.

See BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Comparison Chart for details/comparisons of all Star ff programs and descriptions of the upgrades.

You get 2 new SWUs (regular ones) every 15k status miles except at 45 and 75 and 120 where you get 2 new SSWUs. The number of certs in your pack depends on your original package. The one drawback of being a newbie is no choice of package although I would recommend pleading your case so you get the package you really want. It makes a huge difference depending what your goals are (miles, upgrades etc.)