Many students assume that once applications are submitted, colleges have everything they need.

But for most seniors, that’s not true.

Colleges often require first semester (mid-year) grades — and they usually come directly from the school counselor. If those grades aren’t sent, your student’s application may be considered incomplete.

That can delay decisions… or even cost admission.

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Why First Semester Grades Matter

Colleges use first semester grades to:

• Confirm academic progress
• See how students handled senior-year rigor
• Verify trends (upward or downward)
• Make final admission decisions

For many schools, mid-year grades are required, not optional.

If they don’t arrive, colleges may:

• Delay a decision
• Put the application on hold
• Move the student to waitlist
• Deny due to missing information

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Who Sends These Grades?

This is where families get tripped up.

Students do not send these grades themselves.

They are sent by:
✔ The school counselor
✔ The school registrar
✔ Or through the school’s transcript system

If the counselor isn’t prompted or reminded, the grades may not go out automatically.

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Where Problems Happen

Families assume:
✔ The school will send them
✔ The college already has them
✔ Someone else is handling it

But:
• Counselors manage hundreds of students
• Colleges don’t always send reminders
• Portals may show “missing” without explanation

By the time families notice, deadlines may be close.

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What Families Should Do Now

1️⃣ Ask the student:
“Have your first semester grades been sent to your colleges?”

2️⃣ Check each college portal:
Look for:
✔ “Mid-year report received”
✔ “Transcript received”
✔ “Application complete”

3️⃣ Email the counselor if needed:
A short, polite message is enough:
“Can you confirm my mid-year grades have been sent to my colleges?”

4️⃣ Track it:
Write down:
• Date requested
• Date sent
• Colleges covered

This avoids guessing later.

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A Common Parent Mistake

Parents assume:
“If something’s missing, the college will contact us.”

Sometimes they will.
Sometimes they won’t.

Some schools simply stop reviewing the file until grades arrive.

And silence looks like disinterest.

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Final Thought

Your student worked hard all semester.

Don’t let their application stall because one step was missed.

Making sure first semester grades are sent:
✔ Keeps applications moving
✔ Protects admission chances
✔ Prevents unnecessary stress

It’s a simple check that can make a big difference.