You might want to check to see if there's general info and basics to know for the faction. I'm sure they got a board for OOC questions and stuff. :) I'm not sure who the faction leader is, I'm pretty new myself. But glad you're here.
Should have joined a bether faction. *cough* Order of Revan *cough*. If you look on the general occasion there is a few open threads you don't need to be approved to rp just nit with your faction.
Yes and no. Yes, you can RP with your character. No, you can't RP your character as a member of the faction you're waiting to be approved in until such point where the FL/leadership approves your PC.