I applied to multiple colleges on Dec 31st, 2017, and I sent my transcript to those colleges when school started, so they have the transcript with my first semester grades, which were almost immaculate. However, I applied to Howard University in the middle of the third term, in late January, so they have the transcript with the first semester grades and the incomplete third term grades. The problem is that these, however, are NOT final; hence, they are not factored into my current cumulative GPA. My high school has a policy where, in the grade book, uncompleted assignments, regardless as to whether the due date has passed, are marked as NG, and are factored in as a zero, which brings down the overall average for the class. Furthermore, if a teacher hasn’t entered grades in the grade book, the assignments factor in as a zero. Since mid-term grades are incomplete, they don’t factor into GPA or class rank. Should I email Howard and explain the situation? Or, do schools consider incomplete third term grades in admissions? Thanks.
Have you confirmed what the transcript that was sent to Howard looks like? In general, most transcripts only show completed semester or quarter (depending on how your school operates) grades and incomplete term grade (because the term is not finished) should show up as blank or possibly a 0 that is not calculated into the GPA yet. I do not think you need to worry about contacting Howard. They should be aware that your term was not complete. I would talk to your GC first before bothering Howard Admissions.
My school sends the running average out to colleges; however, it doesn’t factor into the GPA or class rank. I contacted my school’s Career Center and they sent out a new transcript without the third term grades. Thanks!
Also, I have a 31 ACT (Howard’s average is 25) and a 3.5UW GPA. Do you think I’ll get in?
Gosh I think I would complain to counseling about that. My daughter has one teacher who when a paper is turned in will put in a grade-like 60 then give it back and you rework it and then she moves the grade up. So at the beginning of the semester that can be a lot of funky grades in there that aren’t real.
@VickiSoCal That’s my EXACT SITUATION. Instead, it’s all teachers. Ugh, thankfully it isn’t factored into my GPA until the term grades are finanlized. I will contact Howard about it.
As a suggestion, you should not contact Howard; if it’s an issue, your GC should do so. You trying to explain will risk coming across as whining - not the best foot forward, IMO.
I will certainly take your word that your school sends out transcripts with non-finalized grades, but if so, I’m very surprised there has not been a prior outcry from students/parents over it.