Senior Year Impact on GPA?

Hi everyone! I'm curious about how senior year grades impact our overall GPA. Do colleges give equal weight to senior year grades, or do they focus more on grades from the first three years of high school? Hoping to plan my schedule accordingly!

Hi there! It's great that you're proactively thinking about the impact of your senior year on your GPA. Colleges consider all four years of high school in their evaluation, but they do indeed give significant attention to the courses and grades from the first three years because your final transcript with senior grades may not be available until after admissions decisions have been made.

However, do not underestimate the importance of your senior year. Many colleges will ask for a mid-year report, which includes grades from the first half of your senior year. These grades can influence admissions decisions, particularly if they show a positive or negative trend. Moreover, once you're admitted, colleges will expect you to maintain your academic performance through graduation. A drastic drop in grades during senior year can lead to admissions offers being rescinded. Therefore, it's prudent to continue to challenge yourself academically and strive for excellence all the way through your senior year. Best of luck with scheduling your classes!