Can predicted grades substitute mid-year grades?

Applying to College
1

Hello!

The thing is: I am currently an U6 student doing A-levels in UK. We do get end-of-trimester grades, together with comments from the teachers, but as the school is not used to having US unis applicants, and therefore not used to those reports actually meaning something, they are painfully honest and way too negative to send to universities.

For example, my A-level predicted grades are AAAA and an A from AS, and they are already reported on my transcript, but my report grades are AAAB- As because the school forbids putting A*s on trimester reports (very unfair, given that my averages from those three subjects are 98 (Maths/Further Maths) and 96), and a B because I managed to screw up one test I took one day before sitting SAT Subject Tests (from different subjects). The same goes for the comments; the teacher who wrote the most glowing reference he possibly could for the Common App claims that I ‘no longer enjoy his subject and am working too independently’, which, fair enough, is true, but I’m quite sure the colleges don’t need to know that, nor that they care about my very significant drop in grades (though my predictions remain the same).

Which is why I am asking- should I send my trimester report in? If not, can my predicted grades substitute the mid-year ones? I’ve applied to two Ivies (one RD once SCEA deferral), and a bunch of liberal art colleges.

2

*about the reasons for my significant drop in grades. I’m quite sure they care about the actual grades.

3

No, they care about your attitude too. The colleges want honest. If they ask for a mid-year report, they want the actual report, not predicted results. What difference do predictions make if they don’t turn out to be accurate? Your report is supposed to come from the school, not you, so you don’t really get to choose which to send. Pay attention to what it says, though. If you’re noticeably slacking off, start paying more attention to your studies.

4

Predicted grads cannot substitute for actual grades. You could ask your guidance counselor (or equivalent) to attach a note to the transcript explaining your school’s trimester grading policy.