<p>Are senior year grades a factor in the admissions selection? If they are, how much of an impact do they have. Do schools use your first semester senior year grades to calculate GPA? </p>
<p>I'm asking this because I believe that my senior year grades will make a significantly positive impact on my application. I'm taking very rigorous courses this year and getting all "A's" which is a very big achievement for me because I'm just an average student who just recently started to do well in school. </p>
<p>Actually, many consider these some of the most important grades. Colleges use you grades to assess your potential for success in college, so you most recent grades are the best indicator; they care more about what sort of student you are now than what sort of student you were three years ago. Second semester junior year and first semester senior year grades are very important. If you have a favorable midyear report, you can partially make up for lackluster performance in the past. Incidentally, don’t disregard second semester grades either; bad performance there can have serious consequences. For example, if you’re accepted early into a school, that school has the ability to later rescind your offer if there is a significant drop in your academic performance.</p>
<p>Definitely you should let the teachers and counselor who write recommendations for you stress your senior year progress and great potential to excel in college. Best wishes for you.</p>
<p>I would also write a separate email to the local admissions for your colleges highlighting any 1st semester achievements. In most cases, these people will be the first to read your application and advocate for you in the admissions process. Trending upward is a good sign. ALWAYS!</p>