Most Catholic churches hold special classes for people who are thinking of maybe converting. You may want to ask if the churches near you have these classes, because they give you a chance to talk to other folks who are considering the same thing, and to ask the folks representing the church questions. That said, most Masses last about an hour.
As others said, it's okay to leave just after Communion, if you need to; and Communion comes toward the end - maybe about 10 minutes before the end. But what would be best is if you can find a Mass that you can stay for the entire thing - maybe Saturday or Sunday. Your university might also have what's called a Neumann center near campus.
If they do, they'll normally offer services, and tons of college students will go to them. These services might fit your schedule, so do check into this.
My guess is between an hour and an hour and a half, depending on the length of sermon. By why not attend on Sunday and avoid any lateness issues?
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.