Do Early Decision schools take into account our first quarter senior year grades?

Question for y'all – I'm currently in my first quarter of senior year and working on my ED app. Do you know if colleges look at our first-quarter grades for ED, or do they just review what we've done up to junior year? Just trying to figure out how much these grades will count.

Absolutely, schools do consider your first-quarter senior year grades. Most Early Decision (ED) programs require a 'mid-year report' to be sent by your high school that includes first-quarter or first-semester grades. While your academic performance throughout high school is important, senior year grades can indeed play an essential role in the admissions decision, particularly if there's an upward trend in your academic performance or you're taking more challenging courses that year.

For example, if you were mostly a B student but have moved up to A's, or you've taken on more AP or IB classes and are doing well in them, this can signal your readiness for college-level work. It's key to maintain strong performance in your senior year coursework because it shows consistency and a commitment to academic excellence, something admissions committees value highly.

However, it's also crucial to recognize that your application will be evaluated on more than just these grades. Extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, essays, and standardized test scores, if applicable, will all be taken into account. But certainly, if you're gunning for an ED acceptance, giving your all in the first quarter is wise. It's one of the most recent academic indicators they have of your abilities and work ethic. Try to keep the momentum going – you've got this!