<p>Many schools that I'm applying to (very competitive schools) consider 1st semester senior year grades, but I doubt I can get straight A's senior year because our school has some super tough AP classes and teachers. Will senior grades be as important as previous years' grades or less important? Will a B in a subject be suspicious if I did well the years before?</p>
<p>you’re overthinking things. Just do the best you can in your courses.</p>
<p>I probably am, but I actually do want to know how important senior grades are relative to past grades.</p>
<p>Your most recent grades (junior/senior year) hold the most weight in admissions. As a Brown admissions officer said, “College comes after high school. If you start going on a downward spiral at the end of high school, we don’t want to be on the receiving end of that.” That being said, one B is not a “downward spiral,” and I don’t think it will look suspicious to go from having all As to all As and a B. That could be a difference of .1% (going from an 89.5% to a 89.4%), which is almost negligible (except for the A/B distinction we give it.) Plus, I think colleges understand that senior year, classes are more difficult and you’ve got more to work on outside of school (like applications) and that it’s a pretty stressful time. It just proves that you’re human.</p>
<p>agree with @430ktk . I don’t think a B will be negative. While senior grades are important, one B will not be a turn-off. </p>
<p>Last night, our guidance counselors told the senior class the same thing that 430ktk wrote – that senior year grades in the first trimester are of the utmost importance but that college reps also know that senior fall typically includes the most rigorous courses along with the stress of applications – and with highly selective colleges, whose applicants often had straight As up until senior year, one or two A-s and maybe a B or B+ is not going to suddenly derail your plans. That being said – do your best to get the best grades possible. The guidance counselor speaking last night reminded the seniors it is only 12 weeks… put away Facebook, put away Instagram, maybe put away College Confidential (grin)… and focus on getting the best grades possible. </p>
<p>This is why it’s best not to load up with tons of APs on senior year because it’s already stressful. Who knows? Adcoms tend to say one thing and mean another.</p>
<p>Having 1 B among all As will still give you a GPA over 3.8 in that semester. It is not likely to dilute the GPA from the previous 4-6 semester. If you do get a C or anything significantly lower your GPA, it may have some negative impact. ED/EA would not see the first semester grade at the time of decision. If your senior grades turn out much lower than they expected, the admission may be rescinded. Usually, that would take more than a C for them to do that. </p>