I'm wondering if my first-semester senior year grades are a major factor for colleges with regular decision. Should I include them if they're strong, and do these schools typically ask for updates if I don't send them right away?
Yes, your 7th-semester grades, which usually consist of your first-semester senior year grades, can be of significant importance to colleges during the regular decision admissions process.
Many colleges, in fact, ask for your mid-year report, typically submitted by your high school counselor, which includes these grades. This can be especially relevant if you've demonstrated an upward trend in your grades or have done particularly well in a challenging course—both scenarios that could boost your academic profile in the eyes of an admissions committee. If asked by a college, you should definitely send these grades promptly.
Even if you're not explicitly asked, you can still update colleges with your strong 7th-semester grades. It shows you're continuing to perform well academically and you're committed to your studies, even as you approach high school graduation.
Keep in mind, the process for sending this update varies from school to school. Before you do anything, make sure to check each college's policy on receiving updates to your application.
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