Do high school senior year grades really matter?

Applying to College
1

If we already got accepted to our university of choice, why put in more effort than you did when you were a junior?

2

If you’ve already been accepted then the big things to remember are no Ds, Fs or felonies.

3

Probably no more effort, but no less either. Unless you want to take the risk to be rescinded.

4

College admission offers made to high school seniors are conditional on completing your previously reported senior year courses with sufficiently high grades. Some colleges explicitly set grade or GPA minimums, while others vaguely say that they expect similar performance as your past performance.

Generally, you are at risk of rescission if:

  • You earn a D or F grade that was previously unreported.
  • You had a schedule change (particularly to less rigorous choices) that was previously unreported.
  • You do not graduate high school.
  • You do not meet one of the explicitly stated conditions listed by the college.

You should be safe if:

  • You meet the college's explicitly stated grade and GPA minimums and other conditions.
  • The college is not explicit about grade and GPA minimums, but your GPA is greater than or equal to your previous GPA, with no D or F grades, and you meet other conditions.

You may be at risk if:

  • The college is not explicit about grade and GPA minimums, and you meet the other conditions, but your GPA is significantly lower than your previous GPA, though without D or F grades. (It would not be surprising if the risk were higher if the college had an over-yield situation, but lower if the college had an under-yield situation and is trying to fill its class from the waitlist.)

In addition, if you do well in senior year of high school, you will be better prepared for college than if slack off in senior year of high school.

5

If you decide you want to transfer, they’ll matter.

For students not accepted at their school of choice but on a WL, finishing strong may be what decides who comes off the WL and who doesn’t. It signals that you are driven, capable, and ready to engage at college.

6

if you want to transfer, your HS grades/transcript is looked at?

7

^ Look at the Common Data Set for the transfer college, section D. The rule of thumb is the more time in college the less emphasis on HS info.

8

@kjake2000 the general rule of thumb is that less than 60 semester units completed (the equivalent of freshman and sophomore year) and your high school transcript will come into play. Even after 60 units, your transfer school may still be interested in your high school performance (though it might not have much weight)

9

Why wouldn’t you put in the same effort your senior year? Do you think college will be easier than high school? It’s better to keep up your good study habits.

That said, it is understandable that a lot of kids slack off a bit second semester, not because they’re lazy, but because there are a lot of extra activities. Just don’t let your grades slip and you’ll be fine!