How/Where to Submit Requested Mid-Year Grades

Applying to College
1

My son sent applications out in November for E/A deadlines. He’s been accepted at some schools, denied at others and deferred at one. Four of the schools he applied to, 3 PASSHE universities and one NJ school have requested to see mid-year grades (plus he’s an instrumental major and still has to audition, but there were some acceptances prior to auditioning). He received the following letter [copied below], and other similar requests. One AC requested/recommended he send them in person during an interview. My question is how is he to submit this mid-year report, which in his case happens to be his best semester grades since high school? His top choice is where he got this letter (pretty nice letter, if you ask me) from, so it’s no wonder he buckled down on his lessons, but that’s another story.

Is this something he should just ask his GC to upload to the Common App? Should he send a letter to the admissions counselors to advise that it’s been uploaded? Will the admissions counselors automatically go look on the Common App to see if it’s there? Should he send an email with a heads-up? Should he request GC to send grades directly to the schools? For schools he’s already been admitted to, will they go looking in the Common App as well? Should he advise THEM ? For schools who he hasn’t heard from or are waiting on audition results, but haven’t requested mid-year grades, should he send them the grades as well? Will THEY go looking? OK… sorry, I said there was one question. I told a tale. LOTS of questions but regarding the same topic, so counts as one BIG question. Mea Culpa.

I DO have another question actually. Like I said, his mid-year grades are the best he’s had throughout high school; think 2.3 - 4.0 jump. My question to him was, where the heck were these grades the rest of the time you were in high school? His response, I was playing Momma - as in playing for various music ensembles in the area. He’s going in as an instrumental major and had to drop playing in the State’s Youth Ensemble AND State Youth Orchestra last semester so he could focus more on his studies. Is this something that should be mentioned when sending the grades? How DO schools look at that BIG jump in GPA? Would they need an explanation? I’d want to know if it were me.

Thanks for your assistance and feedback. Here’s the letter:

Hey [Name Inserted Here], thanks again for completing your application to [PASSHE University inserted here]! While your application is complete we’d like to get some more information from you!
Mid-Year Grades
The reason why we are requesting mid-year grades is because we think you currently show a lot of potential! [High School Name Inserted Here] is a strong school and we just want to see how you do in school over the next few months. We really believe in you and want to give you every chance to succeed!

Respond to Let Us Know!
If you plan on sending mid-year grades to us in the next few months please take a minute and fill out this form. That way we know you see the potential in yourself that we do and we’ll be able to check up on you to see how your semester is going!

2

At my son’s school, you must notify the GC which colleges require mid year reports (information gleaned from the common app). The GC then sends them out to the schools. I don’t think they typically inquire why grades may have dropped or risen, but that’s something the GC can address.

3

Thanks for the feedback. He already notified GC of the ones which requested mid-year grades on the Common App. The schools we’re questioning are the ones who requested it AFTER the application and it doesn’t say needed on the CA. The GC has LOTS to do, I understand, so he will follow up with her, I’m sure. Was just wondering if this is something that he should handle himself via an email to let them know the grades ARE on the Common App (assuming they get posted)