does anyone know when the payment agreement is due and when the early bird is, the one that allows you to add/drop courses?

Here is a document with all the important dates for Fall/Winter 2009:
http://www.mcmaster.ca/bms/student/p...eadlines.p df

According to the document, if you are a first year student, you must have your payment agreement completed by July 30 in order to receive your confirmation package in the mail (if you are a returning student, you must have it completed by July 15).

The payment deadline is September 1. If you are using online/telephone banking, you should have your payment arranged by August 25.

Hope this helps!