Lets say I am applying this November to UCs. Do they count the GPA for fall or do they just see your grades when you fill it in in January?
After you apply, you’ll do an update to reflect your fall grades. Your grade won’t be reviewed until your fall grades are added. In short, they absolutely count.
While you didn’t ask about your spring grades, they are irrelevant as long as you pass the courses you indicated you’d be taking since acceptances will be sent out prior to the spring semester being finished.
What @briank82 is correct, but your Spring grades may matter more than that. My conditions for admission, which I received in April for UC Davis, says I have to pass my Spring classes wth a 3.0 GPA and UCI said the same so in certain cases you’ll need to do more than just “pass the courses”. But they make their decision after receiving your Fall grades, for sure.
Good point, @ananguiano, and I should have clarified. Mine too required a 3.0 and passing all classes with at least a C.