(Specifically for Public schools : UC’s, Cal states).
Hi,
I’m wondering if there’s anyway colleges could look at your senior grades before you give them the transcript which is way later (when you’re admitted/accepted).
Is there any reason to aim for a 4.0 in senior year first semester? Would 1-2 B’s affect my chances at the UC’s or Cal states? Thanks,
The UC/CSU relies on your accurate self reporting and their own often unforgiving policies of freely rescinding students and leaving them with no college acceptance in july or august once the transcripts come in. Remember your admission is conditional. Every year there are students posting here who thought they were just slacking a little and all of a sudden a class got away from them and admission rescinded. They are always good students who didn’t mean it to happen.
Now some percent of students are on the bubble for admissions and do get a letter asking for more information. I can’t recall if they are asked for semester grades though, maybe someone else will know. fyi there are State Forums here with a Calif schools forum.
They accept you based on your prior grades. They can rescind you based on your senior grades. Admissions people can start to wonder if senior slump might evolve into being more involved in college social life than academics freshman year. Some students figure they will get more serious sophomore year but end up on suspension or worse. So you may be rescinded if they think you are blowing off senior year.
A B or two won’t phase them. But it is easy to start a downward trend that slides too far.
@LomoKuan: For my younger son, Cal State Fullerton and San Diego State did ask to submit Mid-year Senior grades upon his acceptance.
For my older son, none of the UC’s asked for Mid-year grades but he self reported them to UC Davis upon his acceptance and enrollment.
Like the both posters stated, contain to maintain the high quality of grades that got you into the schools in the first place.
Do colleges see your senior class schedule?
Yes, on the application(s) you self report your Senior schedule. If transcripts are required upon application, your schedule will also be noted there.
UCs will rescind if you get a D and/or your GPA falls below a 3.0 in either Semester Sr year. They also want to see that you completed the courses you indicated were in progress on your ap. There are posts all over these forums from kids who had a seat at UCX yanked with a 2.9 or because they dropped a Calc class - it really does happen.
CSUs want you to finish your A-G coursework with a C or better. (SLO is a little different)
The challenge is slacking off the right amount. In my experience, students targeting a B frequently slip to a C+. It can also establish habits/patterns that are hard to break.
There are too many distractions and critical deadlines Sr year to give yourself permission to blow deadlines, etc
Slack off at your own peril.
Many school would request the mid year report from your GC before RD decision. They may also rescind the admission if you get poor grade in senior year later on.
Thx for all posts however, I’m just curious about getting 1-2 B’s out of 5 classes compared to trying extremely hard to get a 4.0. I’m more interested in whether or not getting a 4.0 would affected admission chances but from what I’m reading, it seems like its not worth it?
1-2 B’s will not hurt you, it is when you starting getting B’s and C’s, instead of A’s and B’s that it will be cause for concern.
When an archer aims for the bullseye shot, they normally don’t aim the arrow directly at the middle circle; they aim slightly higher to compensate for the effect of gravity.
When my older brother got his acceptance envelope from UCLA we were all proud of him - no question.
He put in the hard work, the long hours with the AP classes and had an extracurricular activity that was admittedly very, very unique for his class. Unfortunately (without getting into the details), all this was for naught, as his grades slipped during his senior year and UCLA had to revoke his admission.
I’ll spare you the heartache and disappointing moments he went through (especially on my parents end). It’s a lot for a teenager to go through, and I sincerely hope no one has to go through this.
Ever.
Regardless if it’s UCLA, another UC school, or any other college that you’re admitted to, it’s best if one removes the word “slacking” or “senioritis” from their vocabulary.
Approach your senior year with the mentality that you are a junior once again. That would include the late nights, the extra mile you took with the essays and the productive frustrations you had with the difficult math problems. Keep and maintain that high vigilance and academic intensity right until the very end. In doing so, you position and assure yourself in getting close to or hitting the desired goal or mark of your choosing.
Unfortunately (without getting into the details), all this was for naught, as his grades slipped during his senior year and UCLA had to revoke his admission.
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Joe Bruin does not like slackers. Don’t fall asleep during senior year!
@UCLAalumpro that anecdote was deep af, makes sense to compensate.