As a pilot, I'd like to add my two cents. First, I'm not sure where you got that you need to pass an exam to get a student pilot's license. That's simply not true. The student pilot's license just needs to be had before you are able to solo the airplane. Second, the vast majority of airlines (at least in the United States) require a college degree of some sort. They generally don't require a degree in an aviation related field, and there are exceptions, but generally they need a degree. Third, the rating for "bad weather", or your instrument rating, comes before the commercial rating. Other than these, this is a pretty good summary.