Is it true that 12th grade doesn't count for Universities in the USA?

Question

I live in California and I heard universities do not look at your 12th grade grades and that's why people say to take all your graduation requirements in 12th. Is this true?

Should I take any major or AP classes in 12th? If they don't count, then what's the point in taking them? It's just, if 12th doesn't count, it'll be much harder because I would have to jam all my APs in 11th.

Answer 1

As far as I'm concerned AP classes do count.  I took AP Bio and AP Psychology and they transferred as credits. You should talk to your HS advisor about your concerns. But by no means let yourself get discouraged about taking AP courses in HS they DO count as college credits.

Answer 2

Typically colleges stop looking at your GPA after first semester.

So you're still going to need to do well, but only during first semester, then it doesn't really matter.  but AP classes are great i recommend you take some in preparation for college.  

Answer 3

The second half of your 12th grade year doesn't really count, because you should already have applied to the schools you want to go to. You won't have anything to report for that half, because it won't have happened yet.

The first half, though, DOES count. It's actually quite critical.

Answer 4

you must complete ur 12 th grade classes, that is when you finish your credits. yes colleges do look at those grades. do good. keep your grades up, and Good luck.

Answer 5

So, turn your sadness into kindness. And your uniqueness into sleekness. And work out.

Answer 6

No -- it is not true.

They expect you to send them your first semester grades in January, and your final grades in June.  They take into account the classes that you are taking.  They have the right to withdraw your acceptance if you do not do well.

A few months ago, there were several posters at this site who were asking what they could do because they slacked off in the Spring, and schools like Stanford withdrew their offers.

Answer 7

The first half of your grades DO count. Even when you are accepted to a school that is not a guarantee since you have to send them a transcript at the end of the year to prove that you graduated and if you got REALLY bad grades the last part of 12th grade year, colleges could just as easily change their minds. They aren't legally bound to let you in.

Grades should matter the whole year.

Now, I kinda slacked off during spring too, but I was only going to a state school so that wasn't too critical. And my gpa didn't drop below a 3.5. But schools like UCB, MIT, Yale, Stanford, Amherst, U Penn, etc will not be that nice.

Take AP classes. AP classes will benefit you in the future. As well as looking really good on college applications, if you pass the test with a 3, 4, or 5 you will get college credit at most schools.

DO NOT cram them all into 11th grade. Been there done that and it is academic suicide. Your grades will plummet. The best thing is to spread them out over 11th and 12th grades. 12th grade does count for the first 1/2-3/4 of the school year, so its not worth cramming them all into 1 year just to save yourself a few months.