<p>If you look at the title thats exactly my question. Do they only look at 1st Semester? or do they look at 1st and 2nd? or do they not even care? I'm Especially worried about the UCs (and some privates) because I'm in California so tell me how much they look at senior year from the UCs</p>
<p>I'm a senior and an RD applicant, and I would say that senior year is extremely important. They look at first and second marking period grades (first quarter grades, first semester grades). For second they look to see if you made a sharp downward trend, from say, straight As or As and Bs to Cs and Ds. I think most schools are okay with a C, but Ds, no way. For UCs I'm not sure, but I think if you fall out of that top decile during your senior year you're in trouble.</p>