Back in November, I wrote about the importance of your senior year. I think it's about the time that we need to revisit that topic.
About this time every year, guidance counselors and college admission officers start fielding the "how low can I go" questions. I think most of us bristle at this. After all, the message being sent is not what we expect from students preparing for entrance to a selective college or university. When we see a student we were prepared to admit drop AP/IB courses or let their grades fall dramatically between terms, it's hard to justify retaining a spot for them when there are other students with consistent records eagerly waiting in the wings.
Most students submit mid-years and final transcripts that are perfectly fine. It's a very rare student that gives us a reason to reconsider. We get all sorts of reasons for the drop - prom committee, the start of a sports season, just plain senioritis. The fact is that many students have planned proms, played baseball, and enjoyed a little spring fever without letting their grades slide.
Hang in there and keep up the good work!
