How much weight is put into senior year first semester grades, for regular decision?
Bump
Minimally it’s 1/7 of your transcript. But, it encompasses your most advanced classes and best correlates to your collegiate academic performance – more than any of the prior six semesters. It also shows your decision making skills — “did this kid continue to challenge herself/himself or did she/he take a creampuff last year schedule?”
It’s supremely important – especially for the more selective schools.
Both semesters of senior year are important. They indicate your commitment to your education and your character. As T26E4 states it indicates whether you can handle difficult classes, and also shows if you are remaining committed to doing well. Colleges can and do withdraw acceptance from students who let their grades drop significantly in the final semester of senior year.