Does UC Berkeley need a mid-year report from my school?
I’m trying to figure out if UC Berkeley expects applicants to submit a mid-year report with updated grades. My counselor told me that some of the colleges on my list require it, but he wasn’t sure about the UCs.
I’m kind of stressed because my first semester grades are a little better than before and I’d like them to see my improvement. Does anyone know if Berkeley actually asks for or needs a mid-year report? If so, how do you submit it, and is there a deadline?
Would love to hear from people who already applied or current students.
I’m kind of stressed because my first semester grades are a little better than before and I’d like them to see my improvement. Does anyone know if Berkeley actually asks for or needs a mid-year report? If so, how do you submit it, and is there a deadline?
Would love to hear from people who already applied or current students.
6 months ago
•
1010 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 6 months ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley and the other University of California (UC) campuses generally do not require applicants to submit a traditional mid-year report as part of the application process. The UC system is a bit different from many private colleges—when you apply, you self-report your grades for all courses completed up through the summer after your junior year, and you list your senior year courses in progress.
If you’re admitted and decide to enroll, UCs will request a final, official transcript after high school graduation. This transcript will include second semester grades from senior year, and if there are major changes (like significantly lower grades or changed courses), you have to notify them.
While some private colleges specifically ask for mid-year reports or updated transcripts in the winter, the UCs, including Berkeley, do not request or review them before making admission decisions. There’s also no upload button or specific portal for mid-year updates at Berkeley; even counselors do not need to send official updates at this stage.
There are two exceptions: (1) If Berkeley contacts you directly and requests an update for a particular reason, then you should follow their instructions. (2) If you have a significant change in your academic schedule (like dropping an AP class), you are required to notify them via your applicant portal or email.
Since your improved grades won’t be automatically seen, if there’s something major (like a big GPA jump, new honors, or awards), you can consider writing a brief update in the Berkeley applicant portal comment box or by emailing the admissions office—but this is optional and best saved for truly significant changes.
An example: A student’s first semester senior year grades went up notably. Since Berkeley doesn't require a mid-year report, she reached out to admissions only after she won a state STEM competition—a major update—while noting her GPA improvement in the same message. However, students shouldn't send minor grade improvements, as admissions staff typically won’t use these updates in committee decisions.
So in summary, you don't need to submit a mid-year report to UC Berkeley unless asked. If you want them to know about a major positive change, use the applicant portal or admissions email, but understand it’s not a standard part of the UC review.
If you’re admitted and decide to enroll, UCs will request a final, official transcript after high school graduation. This transcript will include second semester grades from senior year, and if there are major changes (like significantly lower grades or changed courses), you have to notify them.
While some private colleges specifically ask for mid-year reports or updated transcripts in the winter, the UCs, including Berkeley, do not request or review them before making admission decisions. There’s also no upload button or specific portal for mid-year updates at Berkeley; even counselors do not need to send official updates at this stage.
There are two exceptions: (1) If Berkeley contacts you directly and requests an update for a particular reason, then you should follow their instructions. (2) If you have a significant change in your academic schedule (like dropping an AP class), you are required to notify them via your applicant portal or email.
Since your improved grades won’t be automatically seen, if there’s something major (like a big GPA jump, new honors, or awards), you can consider writing a brief update in the Berkeley applicant portal comment box or by emailing the admissions office—but this is optional and best saved for truly significant changes.
An example: A student’s first semester senior year grades went up notably. Since Berkeley doesn't require a mid-year report, she reached out to admissions only after she won a state STEM competition—a major update—while noting her GPA improvement in the same message. However, students shouldn't send minor grade improvements, as admissions staff typically won’t use these updates in committee decisions.
So in summary, you don't need to submit a mid-year report to UC Berkeley unless asked. If you want them to know about a major positive change, use the applicant portal or admissions email, but understand it’s not a standard part of the UC review.
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Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
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