I’ve already applied to a few schools- U of Michigan LSA (Early Action), and U of Illinois Urbana Champaign (Early Action).
I’m a senior, 3.9 unweighted GPA, mostly honors classes, 2210 SAT, good ECs, decent rec letters, good essay.
However, my first quarter is almost over and I have 2 Cs, 3 Bs, 2 As. (I am taking 4 AP classes this year, only took 1 junior year)
Assuming the colleges request my first quarter grades (will they?), how much will these grades affect their decision? Will applying regular decision to other schools be more difficult because of my first semester grades?
They will usually only request semester grades at the middle of the year so yes applying early is beneficial to you right now. Some schools will rescind an offer of admission if your grades fall off too much so I would sure not to let the grades get any worse especially as compared to your previous GPA.
That’s no small drop off – please do your absolute best to turn them around by semester’s end. You can probably expect a deferral from UMich. If they don’t turn around, you can expect a rejection from UMich later.
Seriously, besides your other college apps and your schoolwork, I’d focus exclusively on those Bs and Cs. I mean stepping away from other ECs too from now until semester’s end. Good luck.
Going from 3.9 unweighted GPA to 3.68 (3.9*3 + 3.0) will certainly be a nightmare. I’m not sure if UIUC and UM-Ann requests 1st quarter grade, but most likely you they won’t ask you.
However, you won’t want to remain like that as colleges can rescind acceptance offer if you perform poorly later even if you get accepted on EA. Try to focus on those C and B grade classes a bit more extensively. Colleges love progression/inclining trend in grade, so you may be able to make up your grade if you perform well in the second quarter.
Sorry to revive an old thread, but I’m curious about a similar issue. I was just accepted to me ED school, and I had sent them my first quarter grades in addition to my transcript + app. It’s currently wrestling season, so I’m currently cutting a fairly substantial amount of weight plus intense practices. My grades have dropped a little in the second quarter (partly due to senioritis), so how bad is this? Basically, how much of an impact can my second quarter senior year grades have?
I"m sure low B’s are nothing to worry about; it’s usually C’s and below that set off alerts. If you’re really nervous, you could write to the college you’re going to attend (and yes, you will, congrats!) and explain wrestling season to an adcom. Don’t think you need to, though.