Most selective colleges and universities require midyear reports, which show your senior year first semester grades and any schedule changes. Understanding which schools require these reports helps you plan your senior year academic strategy.
A midyear report is a form your school counselor submits in January or February showing:
Schools use midyear reports to verify you're maintaining strong academic performance after admission decisions for Regular Decision applicants or to monitor Early Decision/Early Action admits.
Most large public universities do NOT require midyear reports.
Many large public universities don't require midyear reports:
No Midyear Report Needed:
These schools make admission decisions based on grades through junior year.
Typical deadlines:
Your counselor submits the report electronically through Common App, Coalition App, or the school's portal.
Verify Continued Performance: Schools want to see you maintained rigor and grades after applying.
Reconsider Borderline Candidates: Strong first semester grades can tip admission decisions for waitlisted or deferred students.
Rescind Offers: Significant grade drops can lead to rescinded acceptances.
Monitor Senioritis: Schools check that you didn't slack off after applying.
Grade Consistency: Maintaining grades similar to junior year performance.
Course Rigor: Staying in challenging courses rather than dropping to easy classes.
Upward Trends: Improving grades can strengthen borderline applications.
Red Flags: Significant drops, failed classes, or dramatically easier schedules.
If you were deferred from Early Decision or Early Action, strong midyear grades can:
Deferred students should focus intensely on first semester senior year performance.
For Regular Decision applicants, midyear reports arrive before final decisions are made. Strong grades can:
Since midyear reports matter:
Don't Drop Rigor: Maintain challenging courses senior year, especially first semester.
Balance Challenge and Success: Take courses where you can excel, not just easy classes.
Show Continued Growth: Advanced courses in your intended major area demonstrate commitment.
Avoid Scheduling Disasters: Don't overload yourself first semester if it will hurt your grades.
Minor Drops: A few Bs instead of As usually won't matter.
Significant Drops: Multiple grade drops or failing grades can jeopardize admission.
Extenuating Circumstances: If illness, family emergency, or other circumstances affected grades, have your counselor explain in the midyear report.
Your counselor submits through:
You don't submit the midyear report yourself. Your counselor handles it.
Early December: Remind your counselor which schools need midyear reports.
After Grades Post: Follow up to ensure submission after first semester ends.
Verify Submission: Check your application portals to confirm receipt.
After midyear reports, schools also require final transcripts:
First Semester Focus: Treat first semester senior year as seriously as junior year for schools requiring midyear reports.
Course Selection: Choose courses that challenge you but where you can succeed with strong study habits.
Time Management: Balance college applications with maintaining grades.
Seek Help: Get tutoring support if struggling in any class.
Maintaining strong grades through senior year while managing college applications requires excellent time managementand academic support. At LifeWorks, we help students excel in challenging courses and develop effective study strategiesthat serve them through senior year and beyond.
Get in touch to learn how we can support you.
What if my grades dropped significantly first semester senior year?
Contact the admissions office and have your counselor explain any extenuating circumstances. Significant drops without explanation can jeopardize admission or lead to rescinded offers.
Do all colleges require midyear reports?
No. Most large public universities don't require them. Selective private schools and elite public universities typically do require midyear reports.
When does my counselor submit the midyear report?
Usually in February after first semester grades are finalized. Exact timing depends on when your school semester ends and when colleges request the reports.
Can strong midyear grades help if I was deferred?
Yes. Strong first semester senior year grades can strengthen deferred applications and show continued academic commitment, potentially improving Regular Decision chances.
What if I dropped an AP class senior year?
Your counselor will note schedule changes on the midyear report. If you dropped from AP to regular level, provide a reasonable explanation, especially if it's visible on the report.
Do Early Decision admits still need to submit midyear reports?
Yes. Even if you're already admitted Early Decision, schools require midyear reports to monitor your continued performance and ensure you maintained academic standards.
