MAB77: I've read at least a few people comment that NCE is the only time they're able to make "keeper" characters,
Absolutely false. Many great characters are created all year long, you don't need an NCE for that. Easier yes, but not the only time to make a keeper as you say. What it does however is help for the emergence of new player groups. As everyone starts on the same footing and that for a time they do not have to compete with more established and powerful organizations. It might just be for a short time, but it is still enough to instill interest in those groups and give them the push that will make them successful in the future.
and that it's possible to level very quickly during this period (claims of 7 levels in two weeks, for example). If characters are going up that fast, it seems to me the opportunity to have them take organic shape as you suggest in response to events is abridged. Players can, of course, go the route you offer whenever they create a character, but the same way folks are approaching factions etc. with careful planning, this appears a rarer opportunity to build a "concept" character in a compressed time frame.
It is those player's loss to be so in a rush. I don't consider that an accomplishment, but a disservice to one character's story. A good character story with substance takes time to establish. Now of course, there is nothing wrong in itself in planning a character in advance, I just hope that you would do it for RP consideration, willingly inducing flaws in a character and not just try to be the "effective" character with the best AC and AB. But I understand and accept that others have different views than my own on the matter.
As an aside, the requirement to write an application and be approved for many races and classes to me is a systemic indicator that the experimental approach to character creation is not altogether encouraged here. If those in authority wish players to receive the message that they desire "playful" character creation, then perhaps that process should be made to seem less like a lot of hard work that may result in denial, futility, and disappointment.
You are in error here. The application form is especially to make sure the player understands the roleplay aspects of the classes/races he desires to portray and in there the experimental approach is a bonus, not an hindrance. Granted that for a PrC a player will have to fullfil some minimum requirements, but there is plenty of leeway for everything else. And the applications also make sure that you are not taking a race/PrC merely for mechanic advantages (which is kind of what planning in advance is for).
Be that as it may, if I do a new character for NCE, I have a very specific role I would like the character to be able play and would find it very frustrating to waste this opportunity to accomplish that because of dorking something at the very beginning.
It goes without saying that everyone will have a good idea of where he'd like to go from the very start anyway and that you will work toward those goals in game. That is perfectly fine. The mistake is to plan everything up to level 20 from the very start. THAT'S the "dorking". Sure you'll end up with one of those uber (but boring) characters that can solo everything, but it would also mean that you have no respect for the story-arc of your character. There is no point in roleplaying if you do not let your character grow based on the trials he faced.
Anyway, Arcibel's module allows only for planning (rough at that, as it's not complete). Any characters planned with it still have to get their experience and be built the old-fashioned way in game and in response to game events. For example: "I wanted my fighter to specialize in the halberd, but when I was second level I found the world's awesomest club."
In the end, we all have our different views, mine is not better than the others. But I am a hardcore roleplayer, I prefer surprises, to just pick a direction and see where it will lead me. That makes planning character a mistake in my eyes. I share that point of view hoping to find others thinking like me, but I'm not here to impose my views. Live and let live as they say.