Stupid question, but I haven’t really found an answer for it…
I know that Senior Year grades count, but how do they work in the admissions process? If most RD apps are due January 1st and my school doesn’t release 1st Semester grades until late January, then what are colleges expecting? Do they want a snapshot (of my transcript) of how my grades are at the moment, or…?
The question also applies for EA and ED. What do they expect? The grades as of the application’s completion, or…?
For EA/ED it depends on the school. Some require guidance to send quarter reports or may ask for your current grades and for RD they may ask for midyear report cards. Check with the individual college you wish to apply to.
Most schools would ask for mid-year report from your school directly. It may be too late for EA/ED admission. Nevertheless, they can rescind the student if the senior grades drop below their expectation.
Well, for EA/ED, which usually gives you notifications by December, first quarter grades are important. For RD, the mid-year report is important. The schools you eventually decide to attend will receive a final report of your senior year performance, and they have the right to revoke an acceptance if you don’t uphold a certain GPA. However, this is extremely rate; I’ve heard of people making Cs and failing midterms and still being able to attend their school.