<p>My daughter applied to a number of schools with regular decision deadlines around January 1st. At that time, her HS sent her transcript and her first quarter grades (transcript and GPA only include first 3 years). Most colleges also want a mid-year report by the middle of February (her HS's second quarter ends the end of January - so those grades will be available then). The HS sends as their mid-year report one grade per class - which is the average of the two marking periods. My question is - will these colleges bother to look at the transcript and 1st quarter grades which they got in December or will they wait and only look at the transcript and mid-year report (which they will have in February)?</p>
<p>I would think it depends on the school. Some may look at the early report and put her automatically in the in or out box.</p>
<p>Most schools will have already reviewed the applicant at least once, and a preliminary decision possibly already been made. The MY Report can tip the scales on a borderline candidate, or simply show no significant change on a solid candidate.</p>
<p>Please tell D (and her friends) that the race is not finished until Graduation Day in May/June. Colleges can and do withdraw acceptances for poor midterm and final semester grades. They can also take back scholarship awards. </p>
<p>Basically a student who has been a strong student and suddenly takes a nose dive is a student who is (most likely) embracing a bout of immaturity and gassing off. A college (particularly selective colleges) has a bevy of students who are remaining on task and there’s no reason to sink money into the immature party animals. </p>
<p>I’m not talking about the A dropping to a B+ But the A student who suddenly has D’s and F’s can be in real trouble. So can the student who gets arrested for drinking or drugs.
It’s important to tell teens “hey, I’m all for Friday night gokarting or an all Saturday video game marathon – but the really stupid stuff means you can flush all your hard work away and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And, just so you know I mean business, I’ll plan to console myself with a cruise to Europe on that money we set aside to pay for your college if you are dumb enough to be jailed for bad behavior. There’s no point in sending dummies to college”. Yeah, rough but it might keep the partying down to a dull roar.</p>
<p>I think you missed my point - I am sure they will look at the mid-year report - the question is given time constraints and volumes of applications to review - will they bother looking at the first quarter grades (which are being replaced by the mid-year in a week or two).</p>
<p>^ Regarding my previous response, they would review the first quarter grades when they first evaluate the applicant. I thought that was implied.</p>
<p>Sorry! Overly didactic! Probably depends on the school – and where the candidate lies in the acceptance process. Sometimes a student is clearly a “yes” or clearly a “no” and minutiae doesn’t matter. The ones on the cusp of acceptance would be of concern. </p>
<p>If it were my kid, I would take a peek at how she lines up with typical acceptances for the college that she most likes (available on the College Board site). If she were borderline, then I might send an email to her guidance counselor and say “this point is making me nervous. Is this a legitimate concern for this student at this college?” – I would do this because the guidance counselor is in a position to reach out with a touch to that Admissions office and say “just wanted to check in and let you know that our Ashley Whatsit continues to be very keen to come to Whoville College”. (Which a parent should not be doing). </p>
<p>If D is very solid in the field, I wouldn’t bother – Good luck!</p>