Are quarter grades in high school critical for college admissions?

Currently a junior and stressing a bit—do colleges look at our quarter grades during high school, or are they more interested in semester and final grades?

It's understandable that you're feeling a bit anxious about your grades, especially as a junior when college applications are on the horizon. Generally, colleges focus on semester and final grades when reviewing your academic record. These are the grades that typically appear on your transcripts. Quarter grades usually serve as progress reports and aren't often included in the transcript sent to colleges. However, your quarter grades are still important as they can indicate trends in your performance and help you catch any potential issues early on.

If you're struggling with certain subjects during the quarter, it's a good signal to seek help and make improvements before the semester ends. So while quarter grades aren't usually directly scrutinized by admissions officers, they're certainly critical in ensuring that you're on track for strong semester grades, which are what colleges will consider. Keep up the hard work, and remember to reach out to your teachers or a counselor if you need support in improving your grades throughout the year.