No they don,t need RP upfront as most schools understand that it is a long process here to get it. Just give them a copy when you have it. Also hit te schools as soon as you get here as a lot of schools are closing there applications and wont take any till the begining of the next school year and it pays to be persistant such as visiting the school once a week to find out how your application is going. (this seems to be the only thing that works calling them does not) Good luck.