<p>How bad would it look if my grades dropped first semester senior year and my rank went from top 5% to maybe top 6-7%?</p>
<p>If you’re applying Early Decision or Early Action, your senior grades probably won’t have as much of an influence on your admissions decision as they would have otherwise, since at the time your application is submitted, your transcript will only include grades up to your junior year. But even if you’re applying RD, the drop you just described - from top 5% to 6-7% - would not be substantial enough to warrant a rescind. You’re still in the top 10% either way.</p>