A lot of schools request transcripts that include your first semester of senior year such as NYU, but some schools request transcripts that do not include the first semester of senior year such as University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign. How do the UC schools do it? I’m guessing since the deadlines are Nov 30th, first semester isn’t included?
Some applicants are asked for mid year grades - others aren’t. Everyone is asked for full transcripts the summer before you begin. Sub-par performance will get your admission rescinded.
If you are borderline, the UCs will ask you to provide a supplemental information which may include your grades (or expected grades) in the 1st semester of your senior year. This may happen around January to February.