Is it better to take 6 classes in T1, 5 in T2, and 5 in T3 or is it better to take 5 in T1, 6 in T2, and 5 in T3? I don’t want to take 6 classes in T1 while working on college apps, but I am afraid that only taking 5 classes will make my schedule look less rigorous. Will colleges mostly just look at T1 grades? Or will they look at T2 grades as well? Thanks for reading.
Most colleges do not require T2 grades as far as I know. Honestly, taking one more class probably won’t affect your chances much, take as many as you want and can. Also, talk to your guidance counselor about sending T2 grades because it may vary school to school.
Thank you for your quick response!
If you apply regular decision and T2 ends prior, then you may need to submit. If you are deferred by any school, you likely would have to follow up with T2 grades. If you are accepted and bomb T2, you can get rescinded (not often but it happens).
I had to send my T2 grades, although I have no way of know if colleges actually saw them. Since I applied RD everywhere (except for a couple rolling), it’s possible that the decision on my app had already been made before the grades came in. So there’s really no way of knowing for sure as far as I’m concerned; it sort of depends on how early/late the admissions committee sees your application, which is unpredictable.
It’s a different story if you’re applying EA or ED; then I’m pretty sure colleges won’t see your T2 grades
Most schools on trimester systems submit what are called “senior grades” at the end of January, since second-trimester grades usually aren’t available until colleges’ regular decisions are well underway in March. Your T2 and even T3 grades will potentially affect waiting list decisions, and truly disastrous grades could lead to rescissions.