What does it mean if my ED school asks for my first quarter grades?

I applied Early Decision to my dream school and they recently requested my first quarter grades. Is this a good or bad sign? Do all applicants get this request or just certain ones? Really worried about what this means for my chances!

Hey there! I can understand how getting this request might cause some anxiety. But, don't worry too much. Requesting first quarter grades is pretty standard for many colleges, especially for Early Decision applicants, because they want to have the most recent and complete view of your academic performance.

It's neither a good nor a bad sign, so don't overthink it. It's just part of their evaluation process. Some applicants do receive a request for first-quarter grades if the admissions committee needs more information before making a decision on their application. It could simply mean that the college wants to see how you've been doing academically in your senior year before they review your file as a whole.

The best thing to do is get your grades to them as quickly as possible and keep focusing on your academics. Remember that admissions officers are looking for consistency in your performance, so make sure you don't slack off now. Keep up the good work, and try not to stress too much. I hope this helps and good luck with your early decision outcome!