First-Semester Senior Grades: What Colleges See and When

Mid-year reports — first-semester senior grades sent to colleges during the application review — are one of the more confusing parts of the process because every school handles them differently. Here is what families need to know.

How do I know if a school requires first-semester grades?

The Common Application Dashboard shows this information. Go to Application Requirements for each school — the abbreviation MR indicates whether a mid-year report is required. This is the fastest way to check every school on the list at once without visiting each school's website individually.

Can I send my grades even if they are not required?

Yes — and in many cases you should. If first-semester grades validate or improve your academic profile, sending them gives the school something positive to look at. A student whose first-semester grades are strong has nothing to lose by sending them.

The reverse is also true. If first-semester grades represent a drop — particularly in a rigorous course — think carefully before sending voluntarily. You are not obligated to submit grades that hurt your file at a school that does not require them.

Do all schools actually review first-semester grades if they are sent?

No. Some schools do not consider first-semester senior grades in the admissions review regardless of whether they are sent. Policies differ significantly by school.

The University of South Carolina, for example, reviews transcripts only through junior year — first-semester senior grades are not part of their review. This is not the norm, but it illustrates how much school policies vary. Check the policy for each school rather than assuming a universal standard applies.

Should I send first-semester grades to schools where I applied Early Action?

Usually no — and for a practical reason. Most Early Action decisions are released before first-semester grades are even available. The timing does not line up.

The exception: if a student is deferred from Early Action to Regular Decision and first-semester grades are strong, sending an updated transcript is a good idea. It gives the school something new and positive to consider during the Regular Decision review. This should be paired with a brief mid-year update letter or note through the portal.

Should I send first-semester grades to Regular Decision schools?

Most likely yes, if the school requires or accepts them and the grades are good. Check with your high school guidance office to confirm their process for requesting mid-year reports — the counselor submits these, not the student directly, and some schools have specific timelines or forms for the request.

If a school does not review senior grades, do I still need to take a full academic schedule?

Absolutely — and this is one of the most important things for seniors to understand.

Even at schools that do not review first-semester grades during the admissions process, the rigor of a student's senior year curriculum is visible on the transcript and is considered as part of the overall application review. Admissions offices notice when a student's senior year schedule is light — and they ask questions.

Graduation requirements and college expectations are not the same thing. A student who takes two study halls and an elective because they have met the requirements to graduate is signaling something to admissions that has nothing to do with first-semester grades. A full, rigorous senior year schedule matters regardless of whether anyone sees the resulting grades.

Questions about how to handle mid-year reports for the schools on your list — or what to do if first-semester grades are not where they should be? That is a good planning conversation to have in December.

College Placement Consulting  ·  Blog Post  ·  July 2026