Will senior grades matter for Early Decision?

Hi! I'm a high school junior and planning to apply Early Decision next year. I'm curious if the admissions officers look at senior year grades during the ED process or just rely on the grades before senior year? If my senior year grades are important, will a slight dip in the first semester affect me much? Thanks!

Hello there! It's great to hear that you're planning ahead for your Early Decision application. Admissions officers do indeed take senior year grades into account, even during the Early Decision process. Generally, colleges will request a mid-year report which includes your first semester grades of senior year. These grades can give them insight into your academic consistency and ability to handle advanced, senior-level coursework.

Having a slight dip in your first-semester grades is not necessarily a deal-breaker, especially if your overall academic record is strong. However, it's essential to avoid a significant drop in grades. Admissions committees understand that students can have an off semester occasionally, but they still expect you to maintain a relatively consistent performance. If there is a noticeable dip, it might be helpful to address it in your application if there were extenuating circumstances that affected your academic performance. Keep striving for the best possible grades you can, but also remember that one semester's grades will be viewed in the context of your entire high school transcript. Best of luck with your Early Decision application!