<p>Ok, I'll try to keep this simple. I applied to IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) on October 8th (early action, correct?) They got back to me very quickly and requested my first quarter grades. However, my school went on strike for 6 weeks around halloween. I'm receiving my most up to date transcript tomorrow morning. I contacted the admissions office at IUP to ask when they would come back from break. I got a student on the line who said "The admissions office has a shorter one, but we should be back, like, January 3rd I think it is?".</p>
<p>So while I don't know an exact date, I know when they'll be back soon. Now here's where I have some questions---</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How should I submit my grades if they're not going to be there? Should I mail them and rely on them sitting in the mailbox for a week or should I fax them and rely on them sitting in the fax machine for a week?</p></li>
<li><p>If I'm doing slightly better this year, would that get me accepted? My cumulative was a 2.8, my first quarter grades are 3.0 exactly - do colleges asking for quarter grades want more of the same or are they looking for reasons TO accept you if you're borderline (iup's site says a 3.2 is the general average for an incoming freshman). My grades: B-, B, A-, A-, B-, A-, C+, C</p></li>
<li><p>Will they see my classes that I'm taking after the second quarter?
Almost all of my classes are electives. I'm taking 2 social studies classes next semester but none this one. Will that hurt my chances? Also, the only three core classes I'm taking right now are (honors) environmental (my only honors class, no AP): 76 C, Brit lit: 80 B, and Trig: 78 C</p></li>
<li><p>I'm including a letter with my grades saying that because of the strike I wasn't able to submit them when they were requested. Should I mention that I applied in october? I just still want to be considered as an early action application. IUP is my #1 choice so anything that can help my odds is important.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>The rest of my application was very complete: 1010 on SAT (without writing), 23 on ACT, personal essay, 2 letters of recommendation (one of which was a phenomenal letter from my art teacher), not a huge amount of extra curriculars, but some. I volunteer, I've had two jobs since 10th grade, then art club, habitat for humanity, and boy scouts (although boy scouts is only mentioned once in my essay). I'm also applying for education, which is fairly competitive, but my major is deaf education, one that only 12 - 15 people per class take (as in only a dozen people apply for it).</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help!</p>