Do colleges see senior year grades for Early Decision applicants?

Hi, I'm stressing out a bit about the college application process. If I apply for Early Decision somewhere, do colleges even see my senior year grades? I want to make sure I don't slack off senior year, but I'm also curious about how much weight those grades might have in the admissions process. Thank you in advance for your help!

Hi there! I completely understand your concern about how your senior year grades factor into the Early Decision process. Colleges typically do look at your senior year grades, even if you apply Early Decision. Here's how it works: when you submit your application, you'll usually include a transcript that shows your grades up to the end of junior year. However, most high schools will send a first-quarter or first-semester senior year grade report to colleges as well. This is often known as the 'mid-year report.'

These grades can play a significant role, especially if there's a noticeable trend in your academic performance. For instance, if you've been improving over time and your senior grades continue that upward trend, it can positively influence your application. On the other hand, a significant dip might raise concerns for admissions committees. So, it's wise to keep up the hard work throughout your senior year. Remember, the goal is to demonstrate that you are ready for the challenges of college-level work, and strong senior grades are a great way to showcase that. Best of luck with your application!