So do senior grades really matter?!

<p>im about to enter my senior year of high school, and im taking a very difficult course load. i know you must maintain a 3.0 unweighted or you risk your admission being revoked, but do UC’s actually look at your first semester senior year grades? i am sure keeping the 3.0 will be no problem for me and my schedule will look good, but if my grades are actually a determining factor for admissions, then maybe taking all these classes is a bad idea. applications are sent in for november, so doesn’t that mean the UC’s can’t use my first semester grades as a factor for admissions? or do they somehow see my first semester grades? ive asked people but nobody seems to be sure.</p>

<p>yes it does matter.
You don't want to go into college slacking off.</p>

<p>mainting a 3.5 unweighted gpa is hardly slacking off in my book. however, that might be considered a little weak for schools like ucla and berkeley. i dont want to slack off, but i only want to work as hard as i need to. if my chances are ucla are the same with a 3.0 and a 4.0 senior year, why would i go for the 4.0 when i have so many other things i have to take care of?</p>

<p>Pretty much at least C's and definately no D's or F's. (your admission will be rescinded) Don't risk it by skating on the edge of a C. Unforseen things can get in the way and then you will be screwed. You need to put up a good solid effort, and produce at least a reasonable GPA. A 4.0 no, though it could help you in other ways in the future.</p>

<p>so they do see your senior grades and use them as a factor in admissions?</p>

<p>i don't think they factor those grades in the admissions process but keep your grades up in case you want to appeal later on.</p>

<p>No only your junior and sophomore grades are used, BUT you will sign an agreement not to get any D's or F's and if you do you have broken your contract. Later when you want to gain admission into a program your bad senior grades may bite you in the butt. Be wise and keep them up. Don't risk your admission by letting your grades slide down. Have a fun senior year and recognize that most teachers will lighten up the load for the second half.</p>

<p>awesome thanks people..yeah, i got pretty good grades sophomore-junior year, 4.2 uc weighted, and now im really hoping i can get into ucla or berkeley. im taking mostly ap/honors classes this year to get ready for college and also show them im a competitive student, so i will try not to slack off while not staying up until 3 am like last year some nights..</p>

<p>Try not to slack off too much first semester. For certain schools, (I know Berkeley for sure) if they are on the fence about you, they send an email asking for your first semester grade. But in feb, if you haven't received the emial, then slack off all you want =]</p>

<p>First semester senior year grades may help or break you if you get an augmented review.</p>

<p>what is an augmented review and how/why would i get one?</p>

<p>augmented review = if they're on the fence about you, they email you asking for your first semester grades along with a questionaire (ex. how often do you spend on hw?). like beastmaster said, this thing could make or break you. it broke me. =] YAY FOR UCSD, though!</p>

<p>they dont see your grades at all.. but if they think youre border line theyll ask you to submit first / second / third quarters or first semester.. i actually WANTED to have the senior grades a factor.. my gpa went from 4.0 to a 4.3 by the end of the year, and i got bumped down cause of my SAT score.</p>