I have never completely understood the notion that “I really need to get good grades senior year” or “senior year is such a crucial year grade-wise”. I don’t know if this a misconception I have or what… I’m confused because you will be getting college decisions with only your 9-11th grades on the application. I understand that admissions can get rescinded if you get exceptionally low grades. However, a few B’s senior year aren’t going to do any harm, correct? I have had an unweighted 4.0 all through high school and I am applying to college with it. If I were to get say 1 or 2 B’s, it would not really matter, correct? Please let me know if this entire idea I have is completely incorrect, I’ve just never fully understood that notion that senior year is such an important year grade-wise. I am not the type of person that is going to fall off the wagon and get like C’s and D’s, and so I don’t really see this year as being too crucial.
I don’t think 1 or 2 Bs will cause you any problems.
My 3 kid’s conditional acceptances included the following language “complete your senior year grades with the same high standards you have demonstrated this far” and then it specified the minimum requirement, uw 3.0, etc.
Keep in mind.
Some students apply after first semester senior grades are available.
If you are Waitlisted the college may ask for first semester grades or inprogress grades.
Oh yes, I forgot about those two details. Good point.
Many colleges make their admission decisons using only grades through junior year and a small drop in senior grades (e.g., A’s to a couple B’s) is not likely to result in any revocation, and you usually need a more serious drop to raise an issue of revocation.
However, a large number of colleges, including most of your high ranks, require you to submit your first semester, senior year grades in a mid-year report, after you apply for regular admission, and those grades are used to determine admission. Particularly for regular admission to high ranked colleges, any noticeable drop in grades, even from A’s to a couple B’s, first semester, senior year, can mean the difference in being admitted or rejected. Nevertheless, even for those you usually need a more serious drop in grades second semester, senior year to face having an admission already given revoked.
Senior grades are important if you are a borderline admit, and that would include ED. Many private high school send in first quarter grades to ED schools and sometimes adcoms ask for them. If you are doing RD then adcoms will want to see your first semester grades. If you are unlucky like my older daughter then you may need your second semester grades to get off waitlist schools.
The reason adcoms want to see your senior year grades is they are the closest indication of how you will do in college.
If you are applying RD, many colleges will consider your first semester grades, and a drop to a few Bs in that semester can make a huge difference. The same is true with RD and merit aid. We are certain that our S lost out on higher scholarships and got a 2d yr admit due to slacking 1st semester. If you’re wanting to slack a bit, wait for 2d semester!
Both my kids had to fill out the “Mid-Year Review” packet for the schools they applied to. One was accepted in mid-December so senior year grades didn’t matter at all, but the other was deferred at his ED school pending first semester grades, then applied to the school he eventually committed to in January so first semester grades were on the transcript! You never know!
Think about if from a college’s point of view:
Let’s say you have a 3.8 GPA…and you took 2 APs junior year. Senior year you sign up for 4 APs.
So you seem like you are doing well and are going to take a rigorous course load.
If you get As and Bs that shows the college that yes, you are ready for college…they are making a good choice.
If you get Cs and Ds…that show you are not ready for college and they may rescind the acceptance.
Also if you drop 2 AP classes in January, you have to let them know…same deal…they want to know you are ready for college even after you are admitted.