USA, Canada / Visa red tape, how to move to Poland from the USA? [9]

Hello!
Has anyone gone through the application for a long term visa for stay in Poland? I'm an American looking to move there for a bit, either for school or just to enjoy. The visa application seems to have alot of red tape, bank statement proof, health insurance proof. Are these absolutely necessary? How long in advance should I apply for the visa? Could I just go with a passport and follow up at the immigration office?

Study / Graduate Studies at Jagiellonian [4]

Hi,
I am an American with a bachelor's degree and wanting to go on for a masters in biotechnology at Jagiellonian. The website is a bit difficult to navigate in english (it is not updated regularly like the polish version) and it seems as if the Academic year begins in October, does anyone know if spring enrollment is possible? Also any tips on an American moving to krakow would be appreciated, I've just spent 3 weeks there but left many stones unturned. Thank you