Mxsmanic wrote:
If I'm told "maintain at or below 3500 make left downwind departure"
for a VFR departure, do I climb immediately to 3500 (or my intended
altitude) or do I level off at pattern altitude until I leave the
downwind leg of the pattern?

You stay at or below 3500 and make a downwind departure. IF you are in an
F16 I'd assume you are going to get to 3500 pretty fast. In a C-150, not so
much.