Well, in the movie, Captain Pike SPECIFICALLY tells Kirk that "the shuttle for new recruits leaves at 0800 tomorrow morning." He doesn't say "the shuttle for cadets." He says they're new recruits. So I have to assume that's canon. And that in the crisis of dealing with the call for help from Vulcan, they grabbed all capable cadets, even those who were 3rd years. And I'm going to guess that Uhura is just so kick-ass at what she does that she advanced quickly, too.

I had to think through that one carefully. And I can't take anything written by Alan Dean Foster seriously, even if it's a canon novelization - I hate his writing with a bloody passion. I read it, but have tried to forget about it.

I don't mind questions at all! And... I'm getting ready to post the next section shortly! :D