If I'm applying regular decision, will colleges look at my first quarter or first semester grades?

Applying to College
1

This first quarter, it looks like I’m going to end AP physics with a quarter grade of a C. I’m extremely disappointed in myself that I let my grade slip so low, however, between the death of a student in my grade, my four other AP classes (in all of which I will end the quarter with an A), two injuries from football, and various other clubs and leadership roles I’ve taken on, I was never able to fully prepare myself for tests in the class which account for the majority of the overall quarter grade. I am afraid that this awfully low grade will hurt my chances for admission at most of the schools I’m applying to (Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, NYU, BC, and a few others) since they are very competitive.

However, if the colleges are going to look at my first semester grades (end of first semester is January 22nd and my earliest RD deadline is January 1st) I will have a chance to improve that grade and look significantly better.

So will the colleges I’m applying to still see that low first quarter even though I’m applying RD or will I have a chance to make up for my first quarter mistake?

2

Yes, colleges typically look at your first semester grades. Talk to your guidance counselor to find out exactly what your HS sends out in the mid-year report.

3

So the grades from first quarter will not be looked at individually?

4

If your HS sends out quarter as well as semester it will depend on whether semester grades Include quarter grades or are just another quarter. If the former they’ll look at semester. If the latter they will look at both. Your HS profile should tell the college which one it is.

5

RD admissions only care about 1st SEMESTER grades.

6

Our first semester grades come out really late - after the deadlines for most colleges, so our high school sends out first quarter grades, and then when the first semester grades are out they send them too.