I have a little bit of advice here.
My opinion is to do what you're used to. Cutting your hair right before BCT is a VERY bad idea. If you want to cut your hair short- do it a few months beforehand. BCT is NOT the time to be figuring out what works and what doesn't.
I'm one of the 2012ers, and as long as you showed up with hair decent, you got to keep it.
Here's what worked for me. I had hair about 4 inches past my shoulders going into BCT. During BCT after showering every night, I would put my hair in two french braids, tie them together, and pin the ends up. Then I hairsprayed the heck out of it. It lasted through the night, and I didn't have to worry about it in the morning. I never got reamed for my hair. So if you don't know how to french braid, try learning, because I think that's one of the best ways to do it.
Also, make sure you bring everything you need for your hair with you. Ponytail elastics, hairspray, bobby pins. They generally don't have a very good selection of these things in the C-store, so coming with them saves you a HUGE hassle.
Sorry for the long message. I have no homework tonight and I was bored