Just got my grades back for this semester -- should/can I let schools I already applied to know?

[fouriertransform10]

I just received my grades for this semester and did very well.  I'd like to let my prospective schools know, as this semester shows a significant improving trend for my GPA.  However, many of my application deadlines have passed.  Is there a way in which I can notify these schools about my performance? Should I try to send an updated transcript?  Is there any precedent for this?  I feel that this issue is very common for students whose semesters end in late December and have early December application deadlines.    

 

Thanks.

[NoirFemme]

5 hours ago, fouriertransform10 said:

I just received my grades for this semester and did very well.  I'd like to let my prospective schools know, as this semester shows a significant improving trend for my GPA.  However, many of my application deadlines have passed.  Is there a way in which I can notify these schools about my performance? Should I try to send an updated transcript?  Is there any precedent for this?  I feel that this issue is very common for students whose semesters end in late December and have early December application deadlines.    

 

Thanks.

Schools that give the option of posting Fall grades will say so in the application. If it doesn't give that option, then you do nothing. 

[TakeruK]

How much of a difference does it make? You don't need to publicly disclose your GPA so I'll give some examples where I think it makes a difference and where I don't think it makes a difference.

GPA differences that I think would be significant:
- your cumulative GPA going from below-3.0 to above-3.0, or
- a cumulative GPA change from below some published cut-off for the school to a value above the cut-off, or
- a change in your cumulative of 0.3 points or more (this is pretty tough to do with just one semester but maybe you have had other circumstances that made your previous grades poorer).

GPA differences that I don't think merit any action:
- If your GPA is already above 3.7, then it's not a big difference, or
- Changes in GPA of 0.2 points or less, except in cases mentioned above.

I personally don't think another semester showing a trend is going to make a difference. Either you already have several semesters of an upward trend, or if the trend just started 1 semester ago, having another one isn't enough to establish a strong trend. And as @NoirFemme says, schools do set their deadlines with knowledge that this past Fall's semester grades might not appear. They'll evaluate accordingly.

Finally, if you decide that you want to update your application, the best way to do it is to email the person responsible for application materials at the school's "Graduate School" or "Graduate Studies Faculty" and the person at the department you're applying to. You don't know yet whether the application is still with the Graduate School or if it has been sent to your department already. I would attach the new unofficial transcript and include a note saying something like: "If possible, I would like to update my application with a new transcript including this past semester's grades that became available on [[date]]." Then, include your applicant ID number, the program name you're applying to, etc. (or whatever information the application software gave you and would help them connect this file to your application). I wouldn't make a big deal of it, just include the information and let them decide if they will consider it.

[fadedfigures]

I was in the same position as you. I applied as a college student, and then the fall semester resulted in spectacular grades for me. It did result in an upward change for my GPA, but not enough to merit contacting the schools to update my GPA. They understand that you are a college student and that your GPA is subject to fluctuation. My final GPA was much higher than the GPA I originally applied with, yet it made no difference to my application. So long as your GPA is above their cutoff point, then you should be fine. No need to contact them.