Avoiding Senioritis: Why and How to Finish High School on a High Note

Stay tuned for a more comprehensive guide to applying for external scholarships from us. But for now, keep in mind that some external scholarship awards depend on a competitive final high school GPA. A downward trend in grades can jeopardize your chance at additional scholarships. There are plenty of search engines online to help you find scholarships that you may be eligible for, so take advantage of them. Your guidance counselors can also give you more information on school-specific or community-based scholarships. Do your research now so you are prepared for future deadlines. Don’t miss out on extra money that can help with your transition to college.

Let’s say your college choice doesn’t work out down the line. This happens. While we hope you’re happy at whichever college you choose, the reality is about 37% percent of college students transfer at least once within six years. At that point, high school might seem like a distant memory, but many universities will still require your high school transcripts as part of your transcript application.

Transferring universities can be competitive. Each grade — whether it’s from high school or your first few college semesters — carries weight in the transfer evaluation process. Don’t let Senioritis jeopardize your chances to transfer down the line!

If you are enrolled in AP, IB, or dual-enrollment coursework, then chances are you are thinking of applying those credits towards your college degree. Be sure to do your research. Certain credits may not transfer unless you achieve a passing grade or score on any final exams. Each academic program has its own criteria for awarding credit. NYU, for example, tends to award credit for AP scores of 4 or 5.

Applying credits from prior coursework can be a huge advantage as you complete your bachelor’s degree. You can read about NYU’s College of Arts & Science placement guidelines for examples. It can give you a pass to higher-level courses, let you substitute core curriculum requirements for electives, or even let you graduate a semester or two early.