Do middle school grades matter for college?

Just out of curiosity, do middle school grades play any role when applying to college? I know high school grades are super important but what about the grades from before high school?

Middle school grades generally do not play a role in college admissions. College admissions typically focus on your academic record during high school, your standardized test scores (if required), extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.

That being said, middle school can be a valuable time to build strong study habits and foundational knowledge in various subjects that will prepare you for success in high school. While the grades themselves in middle school are not considered by colleges, the skills and habits you develop during these years can have a lasting impact on your high school performance and, by extension, your college prospects.

Additionally, any advanced classes you take in middle school, such as Algebra 1 or foreign language courses, can lead to an accelerated academic path in high school, which may be taken into account by admissions officers. But ultimately, the actual grades you earn in middle school are not factored into your college application.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your academic pursuits in middle school, high school, and college!