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How important are 12th grade second semester grades for colleges?
Looking online and asking friends and professionals, they tell me different things, such as how it doesn't matter or how important they are. The difficulty of my classes and my grades are causing a decrease in confidence, and how it will affect my colleges. #college #college-admissions #college-advice #college-bound #student
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Updated
Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Jeffrey ! From my knowledge it is still important because schools do want updated transcripts, I forgot how this works but I believe the high school you are attending sends your final transcript and/or semester grades to the colleges you have been accepted at. I believe this is done by your counselor- I apologize it has been almost a long time graduating high school. That being said it is important to do well and not cause a significant decrease in your GPA. I wouldn't worry if you had say for example mostly B's and this semester you received one C in class but it is important to have a steady trend and stay on top of your school work. However, I understand that in your last year there may be a case of senioritis where you may be slowly feeling burned out or tired and may not keep up the same performance. I would try to speak with your teachers and guidance counselor and see where you may be facing difficulty.
I do understand with COVID things have become more difficult and I am sure colleges are aware of this so I wouldn't carry this over your head for your future education. We all have ups and downs and classes where we do well or sometimes struggle, it happens! Do not let it affect your confidence however. I struggled significantly as a student and in high school I started to perform better towards the end and in college I ended up tutoring for subjects that I faced difficulty with. I say this so you can remember that certain times don't determine our overall education or success in life. I would try to see where you are facing difficulty however, what classes and why that is affecting your grades. Khan academy is very helpful along with other videos on YouTube that can be easily found in a search for help with class. I would also ask if your teachers can offer extra time for tutoring or after school if possible. Overall keep working hard and don't worry- yes the grades are important but it's ok to struggle and re-direct yourself. Please let me know if you have additional questions!
I hope this helps and I wish you the best!
I do understand with COVID things have become more difficult and I am sure colleges are aware of this so I wouldn't carry this over your head for your future education. We all have ups and downs and classes where we do well or sometimes struggle, it happens! Do not let it affect your confidence however. I struggled significantly as a student and in high school I started to perform better towards the end and in college I ended up tutoring for subjects that I faced difficulty with. I say this so you can remember that certain times don't determine our overall education or success in life. I would try to see where you are facing difficulty however, what classes and why that is affecting your grades. Khan academy is very helpful along with other videos on YouTube that can be easily found in a search for help with class. I would also ask if your teachers can offer extra time for tutoring or after school if possible. Overall keep working hard and don't worry- yes the grades are important but it's ok to struggle and re-direct yourself. Please let me know if you have additional questions!
I hope this helps and I wish you the best!
Updated
Divyaa’s Answer
Hi! It is not the worst thing in the world to do a little worse in your second semester but you should know that colleges can rescind your application if your grades aren't looking too good. They do look at them but you are allowed to have fun.
Updated
Kenya’s Answer
Hi Jeffery,
Thank you for your question. There are a few things to consider when evaluating the importance of your 12th grade year.
1. Do you plan or do you foresee needing to reapply to another college/ university after your first year?
2. Do you plan to find internships or employment during your first year of college?
3. Do you have interest in testing or scoring out of general studies courses?
If you plan to do any of these things your final GPA may be considered during the application process. I would recommend reaching out to students at the colleges you plan to apply to, or ask during college tours, what their experience was like during their first year.
What helped me during my senior year was focusing more on getting the work complete and less on mastering or passing tests/ exams . My teachers worked with me in the subjects that I struggled with. I was not a good tester but I knew the material. My teachers were able to help me increases my grade by giving me extra assignments to pull up my grade.
The important take away for me was to not be afraid to ask for help. Your support system will be willing to help as long as you ask. They will appreciate your dedication to your goals and help in anyway possible.
Hope this helps! and Good Luck!
Thank you for your question. There are a few things to consider when evaluating the importance of your 12th grade year.
1. Do you plan or do you foresee needing to reapply to another college/ university after your first year?
2. Do you plan to find internships or employment during your first year of college?
3. Do you have interest in testing or scoring out of general studies courses?
If you plan to do any of these things your final GPA may be considered during the application process. I would recommend reaching out to students at the colleges you plan to apply to, or ask during college tours, what their experience was like during their first year.
What helped me during my senior year was focusing more on getting the work complete and less on mastering or passing tests/ exams . My teachers worked with me in the subjects that I struggled with. I was not a good tester but I knew the material. My teachers were able to help me increases my grade by giving me extra assignments to pull up my grade.
The important take away for me was to not be afraid to ask for help. Your support system will be willing to help as long as you ask. They will appreciate your dedication to your goals and help in anyway possible.
Hope this helps! and Good Luck!
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hi,
It's important but not as important as the rest of your portfolio. If you had a bad GPA throughout high school, I would suggest to get it up in your second semester of high school. However, it's more important about your college essay, your SAT scores, what activities and clubs you've joined throughout the four years of high school. They want to know what kind of character you are and what you represent.
It's important but not as important as the rest of your portfolio. If you had a bad GPA throughout high school, I would suggest to get it up in your second semester of high school. However, it's more important about your college essay, your SAT scores, what activities and clubs you've joined throughout the four years of high school. They want to know what kind of character you are and what you represent.
Updated
Madi’s Answer
Second-semester senior year grades are important but not as heavily weighted if you have already been accepted to college. Be aware, if you completely fail the second-semester then you may not be able to graduate or you may have your college offer rescinded. I encourage you to still try your best in your second-semester while enjoying the last of year high school years.
Updated
Sukhminder’s Answer
Handling Senioritis: The Value of Second Semester Grades
By the time the second semester of your senior year arrives, you will have been in school almost your whole life. Trust us — we understand that it’s been ages since you really relaxed. Summers have been full of impressive activities and the academic year leaves not even a second to breathe. So when you are offered the chance to step back without the fear of a college admission looming over your head, we say take it! Of course, this is not to say that you should fail all your classes your senior year. But how much do those second semester grades really matter to the admissions office?
It’s important to remember that this heartwarming commentary is not about first semester grades. Unless you get in early, your first semester grades are going to matter. In fact, they are your most recent academic record! So, don’t start taking a senioritis pillow to class, and certainly don’t palm off your leadership positions yet.
For second semester, however, you have some more room. Here are a few “Do’s” and “Don’ts” about these last few months.
Senioritis Don’ts…
Let your grades fall below a C! If you got into a top-tier school, chances are you aren’t a C student. Remember that the colleges you want to go to are accepting an A student. Colleges are sympathetic to a little bit of relaxation but Cs are barely passing in college, so don’t let it happen.
Ignore warnings. If your grades are dropping too low, colleges will send you a warning. Take this seriously and make sure the admissions office knows that you care about their institution. Not paying heed to this warning can send the message that the school isn’t important enough to you and that obviously won’t work in your favor.
Make teachers angry. Most schools give honors at the end of the year and at graduation. Many will also reward you for academic excellence in particular departments. Even if you were always an A+ student in math, if you suddenly stop caring, your teacher likely won’t find your case compelling. Keep in mind that these awards may contain scholarships. You may also need senior year teachers to write recommendation letters for pre-orientation programs or spring internships with early deadlines — your professors won’t know you yet. Make sure that you have at least two teachers who would be willing to testify to your reliability at the end of your senior year.
Bother the administration. You’ve most likely always been a “good kid.” That’s why you’re going to go to a top-tier university. Do NOT go haywire yet! Avoid senior pranks or skip days if you know they could cause serious trouble. Obviously, don’t shy away from genuinely fun senior activities, but don’t get in trouble with administrators. Not only can this damage your chances of receiving accolades when you graduate or opportunities to speak at senior ceremonies, but it can also really color their opinion of you. In the worst-case scenario, an angry administrator can even notify your colleges. Finish high school strong; even if your grades slip slightly, there is no need to destroy your personal relationships, especially due to senioritis.
Do’s…
Continue to work hard in important courses. Some classes that you take in high school can have a direct impact on the success of your first year. If you intend to take any math courses during your first semester, committing to learn the material in AP Calculus will ensure you have a strong background. Many introductory physics, chemistry, and biology courses also overlap extensively with the corresponding AP courses. Even if you don’t do all the homework, you should definitely learn the material — your first year will be enough of an adjustment without having to relearn physics. Set yourself up for success!
Give yourself a break. Unless you’re getting Cs, it’s unlikely that your college admission will be rescinded. If you have consistently gotten A’s, you can hang out (or watch Netflix) next weekend and write that essay Sunday night. You don’t have to push yourself to get the top grade in the class — most of your teachers are expecting that their seniors will check out in January and begin taking 3-day weeks by March. They will likely decrease the workload anyway, and you simply doing the work at all will be enough to get through the end of the year.
Enjoy your senior year! You have one semester left in high school. Next year, you will be letting go of the support system you have at home and heading to a new environment. Spend some time with the people you care about before you leave. Family and friends are just as, if not more important than, your academic pursuits. Take part in senior year activities and plan some of your own.
Pass on club leadership. Become a mentor to students who you believe can take over your leadership positions. If you are not president of a club but are still on the board, speak to the president and staff sponsor about inducting new members to shadow graduating seniors. Spend one or two days training new board members and allow the new board to run the club. Act as a regular member, attending meetings and going to events with friends. This is a great way to stay involved while stepping back and will ultimately be good for the club’s longevity.
By the time the second semester of your senior year arrives, you will have been in school almost your whole life. Trust us — we understand that it’s been ages since you really relaxed. Summers have been full of impressive activities and the academic year leaves not even a second to breathe. So when you are offered the chance to step back without the fear of a college admission looming over your head, we say take it! Of course, this is not to say that you should fail all your classes your senior year. But how much do those second semester grades really matter to the admissions office?
It’s important to remember that this heartwarming commentary is not about first semester grades. Unless you get in early, your first semester grades are going to matter. In fact, they are your most recent academic record! So, don’t start taking a senioritis pillow to class, and certainly don’t palm off your leadership positions yet.
For second semester, however, you have some more room. Here are a few “Do’s” and “Don’ts” about these last few months.
Senioritis Don’ts…
Let your grades fall below a C! If you got into a top-tier school, chances are you aren’t a C student. Remember that the colleges you want to go to are accepting an A student. Colleges are sympathetic to a little bit of relaxation but Cs are barely passing in college, so don’t let it happen.
Ignore warnings. If your grades are dropping too low, colleges will send you a warning. Take this seriously and make sure the admissions office knows that you care about their institution. Not paying heed to this warning can send the message that the school isn’t important enough to you and that obviously won’t work in your favor.
Make teachers angry. Most schools give honors at the end of the year and at graduation. Many will also reward you for academic excellence in particular departments. Even if you were always an A+ student in math, if you suddenly stop caring, your teacher likely won’t find your case compelling. Keep in mind that these awards may contain scholarships. You may also need senior year teachers to write recommendation letters for pre-orientation programs or spring internships with early deadlines — your professors won’t know you yet. Make sure that you have at least two teachers who would be willing to testify to your reliability at the end of your senior year.
Bother the administration. You’ve most likely always been a “good kid.” That’s why you’re going to go to a top-tier university. Do NOT go haywire yet! Avoid senior pranks or skip days if you know they could cause serious trouble. Obviously, don’t shy away from genuinely fun senior activities, but don’t get in trouble with administrators. Not only can this damage your chances of receiving accolades when you graduate or opportunities to speak at senior ceremonies, but it can also really color their opinion of you. In the worst-case scenario, an angry administrator can even notify your colleges. Finish high school strong; even if your grades slip slightly, there is no need to destroy your personal relationships, especially due to senioritis.
Do’s…
Continue to work hard in important courses. Some classes that you take in high school can have a direct impact on the success of your first year. If you intend to take any math courses during your first semester, committing to learn the material in AP Calculus will ensure you have a strong background. Many introductory physics, chemistry, and biology courses also overlap extensively with the corresponding AP courses. Even if you don’t do all the homework, you should definitely learn the material — your first year will be enough of an adjustment without having to relearn physics. Set yourself up for success!
Give yourself a break. Unless you’re getting Cs, it’s unlikely that your college admission will be rescinded. If you have consistently gotten A’s, you can hang out (or watch Netflix) next weekend and write that essay Sunday night. You don’t have to push yourself to get the top grade in the class — most of your teachers are expecting that their seniors will check out in January and begin taking 3-day weeks by March. They will likely decrease the workload anyway, and you simply doing the work at all will be enough to get through the end of the year.
Enjoy your senior year! You have one semester left in high school. Next year, you will be letting go of the support system you have at home and heading to a new environment. Spend some time with the people you care about before you leave. Family and friends are just as, if not more important than, your academic pursuits. Take part in senior year activities and plan some of your own.
Pass on club leadership. Become a mentor to students who you believe can take over your leadership positions. If you are not president of a club but are still on the board, speak to the president and staff sponsor about inducting new members to shadow graduating seniors. Spend one or two days training new board members and allow the new board to run the club. Act as a regular member, attending meetings and going to events with friends. This is a great way to stay involved while stepping back and will ultimately be good for the club’s longevity.
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