I'm a bit lost here. For my scholarship, I declared Aerospace engineering - and I am switching to mechanical engineering. When I went to speak with the cadre about switching aero to mechanical they said that was fine. They did not, however, mention anything about filling out the CCF 104-R form. Is this something I need to worry about before freshman year, or something when the fall semester starts?
I'm going up for college orientation/scheduling in a couple weeks. Is this form something I need to get squared away before my college orientation? (Since, for PSU I also declared aerospace engineering)
... and also, I don't need to have all 4 years already planned out? Just semester to semester so my PMS can sign off?
The purpose of the 104-R is to have a plan to complete the degree stated in the time allotted. Most majors are allowed only 4 years to complete. Some are given 5 depending upon the requirements of the university.
You will need to plot out your degree requirements for the full 4 or 5 years granted for your degree, each and every semester (as plans change based upon your ability to get into the courses planned, etc.). Your adviser as well as your cadre will sign off on this plan.
You will receive a 104-R to be completed when you arrive on campus (if not before). My suggestion for you is to go to your college's website, find the course catalog for your year of matriculation (entry). You will find the degree requirement for your major therein. It will have the core requirements for your major as well as the general education requirements for the school. And it will have a listing for each and every course offered detailing the (general ed) requirements satisfied, prerequisite courses (things that need to be completed before taking a course), and how many credit hours and when it is offered.
You will take this information and put together the schedule contained in your 104R. You will be expected to average at least 15 credit hours per term or 120 hours during the first 4 years of your enrollment. You may find that your degree requirements (including general ed) + your ROTC credits (may or may not satisfy general ed requirements depending upon institution) is greater than 120. This is something that you will need to discuss with your cadre. If it is only a 6 or 9 credit hours, you may be expected to take a heavier load or take classes during mini-terms or summer. Or they may allow an extra semester or 2 to complete.
When you lay out your schedule, start with the class sequences that have the longest chain of prerequisites. Typically, this will be your math and/or Physics coursework. Fill in around this with other core requirements (ones that have a specific course number without any options) and of course your MS classes. You will find that MS classes take up your entire slack of elective credits and perhaps even more.
I would recommend finding a 104-R online (someone will chime in with a link soon enough). Do as much of this as you can before you go to your freshman orientation, where you will more than likely have an hour or 2 with an adviser. Typically, for most freshmen, they go lightly over the whole degree requirement, but only plan out your freshman year in this setting. Bring your 104-R filled out with you (hopefully your cadre will have sent you one before your orientation but bring your own if not). Match it up with what your adviser recommends and make adjustments as necessary. There probably won't be much in your first year because 3 of your courses will be Math, Physics, Chem. They may have an engineering overview course (depending upon the institution) as a requirement of entering freshmen as well. What I am saying here is that there shouldn't be too much to adjust when you see your adviser if you have done your homework on your degree requirements and filled out your 104-R.
Bottom line, the 104-R is your academic plan. And if you haven't had this drilled into your head yet, a failure to plan is a plan for failure. If you can plan something, do so.