Is last semester of college really the most important one?

Relatively new to the college admission stuff, so forgive me if this sounds clueless. I have heard folks say that the last semester of college is the 'most important.' Just probing to understand - why would that be? Is it about grades, internships or something else?

There's a misconception in your question. Typically, when people talk about the "most important" semester for college admissions, they are referring to the first semester of your senior year in high school, not the last semester of college.

By the time you reach your last semester of college, your grades, along with most elements of your college application are set. This includes your GPA, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, internship experiences, and most importantly, courses taken. Admissions officers highly value the grades you earn in your senior year because they are a good indication of how you will handle the rigor of college courses. They also want to see that you have continued challenging yourself academically right through to graduation.

Yet, the last semester in college is crucial in terms of solidifying your post-graduation plans. At this point, you might be hunting for jobs, applying to graduate school, or seeking other opportunities such as internships or research positions. Your performance during this semester can also impact your GPA, which can be significant if you're applying to competitive graduate programs or seeking certain types of employment.

So in summary, each semester in your academic journey has its unique importance, but for different reasons, based on the goals you're aiming to achieve at each stage.