<p>I posted this elsewhere, but maybe someone in this forum has advice...</p>
<p>My S's current gpa is in the B- range. It has been steadily increasing, with senior year grades the best so far. As far as applying to schools for regular decision (with dates from late Jan to March), would you think it best to...</p>
<p>1) Send the apps now so that he shows that he interested in attending.</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>2) Wait until first semester grades are finalized (late Jan) before sending them.</p>
<p>I feel the latter is the best strategy, as I'm afraid they will barely read through an application once they see the low gpa. (No Honors or AP's taken) However, I am afraid the schools he's applying to might fill up earlier. (He's applying to smaller LAC's)</p>
<p>My sons applied as early in the fall as we could get them to hit the submit buttons. </p>
<p>Generally, almost every school asked for an official copy of their first semester grades anyway. Both those schools that they had already been accepted to, and those they were still waiting to hear from.</p>
<p>I would applynow to get them out of the way. If the college needs the 2nd semester grades in order to make a decision, they will ask. I am not sure how much one semester will make a huge difference.</p>
<p>Sorry no one seems to have the answer. I think a lot of us are still in ED/EA mode. My gut tells me that the earlier the better for RD, before they’re flooded with other RDs. The later grades will get sent too when available. And the upward trend should definitely be commented upon in the Extra Info section of the Common App. Good luck.</p>
<p>It may not make a lot of difference but if it was my kid, I would do #1, and send in updated semester grades as soon as they come out. In either case, I would send in the quarter grades if they are available at your school and if they show improvement. Especially if the school is a rolling admission school, I would do it soon and update them as the new grades come out. If you are in without the new grades, then great, you are all set. If you are on the edge, the updated grade will hopefully force them to take a second look.</p>
<p>Thank you, everyone. I really appreciate it. I just worry that his low gpa (~2.7) will cause them to look no further. It is true that one semester will not make that much difference in the cumulative gpa, but he’s getting A/A- in two math and two science courses now. Just another late-blooming male :)</p>
<p>I agree that if the admissions office wants the grades in order to make a decision, they will wait for them. I have that situation now with two colleges where my B- student applied EA – deferred until they see mid-year grades. I don’t think there is any downside to applying as soon as he is ready with the applications.</p>
<p>BTW my son’s GPA is about the same as your S’s and he was accepted to all the small LACs where he applied (none were super-selective) and deferred so far by two medium-sized Us.</p>
<p>I remembering reading somewhere on CC that an adCom from some LAC was quoted as saying that they admitted some ED applicants who would have been turned down had they applied earlier. Maybe that was specifically related to EA or ED applications.</p>
<p>Deadline for RD is usually around Jan 1. Unless it´s a rolling admission, adcoms will not start looking at applications until after the deadline. It is an applicant´s responsibility to submit the application (essays, ECs, honors) on time. It is the GC (school) responsibility to send in the school report (transcript, school profile, GC LOR), not your kid´s. When it comes to school report, most colleges will allow a bit of delay from school. </p>
<p>Your son should send in his application in as soon as possible. If he is on an upward trend, make sure his GC sends in his 3 quarter too.</p>
<p>I just shared your advice with my S. He said he’ll work to get his RD apps out by the end of the month. It should also make for a much less stressful holiday week in our home. Although, from what I’ve read, the waiting can be the worst part sometimes.</p>
<p>What helped my D last year was to get some early acceptances before Christmas. I think she got two. It really helped lower the stress level significantly.</p>
<p>Also, don’t just wait, show active interest in the school by participating in any online chats, visits, emails… anything to show interest. The colleges do keep track of those interest points.</p>
<p>Thank you AlohaTM, I wasn’t aware that they track those things. My son has not been the best with “showing interest” to his colleges. It’s hard enough getting him to do the supplemental apps. Most on his list are too far to visit until (unless) he is accepted, but he could certainly do an online chat!</p>