Senior Year Grades and Early Action Applications

So, I’m planning to apply through early action to my dream schools, but I’m kinda stressed out. Do colleges even look at your senior year grades when you're applying early action? Or are they just relying on junior year and before since senior grades aren't out yet?

It's completely understandable to feel stressed about this during application season, but I'm here to provide some clarity! When you apply through early action, most colleges will consider your academic record up until the end of junior year because, as you correctly assumed, senior year grades are often not available yet. However, this doesn't mean that your senior year grades aren't important.

Colleges may ask for a mid-year report, which includes first-semester grades of your senior year, especially if they are making a deferred decision on your application. They use this additional information to see your continued academic performance. It's essential to keep your grades up because a significant drop in academic performance during senior year can be a red flag for admissions committees. For instance, if a student had straight A's until their senior year and then dropped to C's, the college might question the student's academic consistency and readiness.

Additionally, if you're admitted, colleges will still want to see your final transcript to ensure that you maintained your academic standing through the end of high school. So, keep striving to do well in your final year; it will show your commitment to education and your readiness for college-level work. Best of luck with your early action applications!