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How to Submit the College Application Midyear Report

“Are you kidding me?!”

I had just climbed under the covers. The sheets were fresh and clean after being washed. I was fresh and clean after taking a shower.

My body felt heavy and melted into the mattress.

You know that perfect, comfy feeling? When you’re finally ready to end the day?

And then it hits you. You forgot to brush your teeth.

My body didn’t want to move.

That’s the way I felt when hit with my very first midyear report.

I thought I had put this college stuff behind me!

homeschool parent submitting midyear report

Your homeschooler’s college applications require a midyear report. Here’s the scoop.

In This Article, We’ll Answer These Questions:

What exactly is the midyear report?
Why is it important to colleges?
What colleges want the midyear report submitted?
Where and how should you submit your report?
When do you submit it?

First Things First: Be Prepared

Yes, as homeschool parent, you’ll need to submit a Midyear Report to the colleges that require it. I know, I know. I hear you grumbling already.

But trust me. Don’t view this as just one more thing to do; view this as an opportunity to tell colleges “just one more thing” about your student.

Columbo Just One More Thing, the midyear report

What is the Midyear Report?

The Midyear Report is a form that a counselor submits to colleges after first semester grades are recorded. It’s a way to update schools about a student’s academic progress. An updated transcript is often required. Some institutions require both the applicant and counselor to submit a Midyear Progress Report.

It isn’t a difficult or lengthy process — you’re asked basic questions about academics and discipline and you’re given a chance to inform admissions about anything else that might be of value in their decision making process.

Here’s Why This is Important

Midyear Reports provide the perfect opportunity to make the case that your homeschooler belongs at that school! It’s a way to continue the conversation, a way to confirm a decision, a way to update admissions on the awesome things your kid is doing.

Colleges want to see an upward trend — in rigor and in grades. Here’s your chance to show them that your student is at the top of their game in senior year.

If a student has been admitted Early Decision or Early Action, schools want to be certain that they’ve made the right choice and that a terrible case of senioritis hasn’t taken hold. They want to know that their admitted students are ready to step on campus and be challenged.

If a student is applying Regular Decision, schools want one more piece that reveals their worth in the applicant pool. If a student is a borderline applicant, the Midyear Report is something that can make (or break) their chances.

How Homeschool Seniors Can Take Advantage of the Midyear Report

Keep those grades up! Keep that engagement up. In fact, a strong Midyear Report can increase chances at receiving merit aid or getting off of a waitlist or making a deferred application stronger.

On the other hand, a poor Mid Year Report might warrant a letter from the college, warning that a student’s place in an honors programs might be in jeopardy or an acceptance might be rescinded or a reduction in merit might be given. Keep those seniors moving and shaking!

Which Schools Require a Midyear Report?

As homeschool counselor, you need to be aware of which schools do and which schools don’t require them. Most schools do NOT send reminders. The Common App does NOT send reminders.

Go on each college website. Check the counselor section of the applications to see which schools require it. It is your responsibility to submit the correct documents to each school.

Important: If one Common App school requires the Midyear Report, there’s no need to keep track of whether or not other Common App schools do. You’ll upload the report via your counselor account and, if a school wants it, they’ll download it.

Where to Submit the Midyear Report

Some schools require the Midyear report to be submitted via the application platform used to apply — Common App, Universal App, the institution’s online app. Some schools, however, require a separate form to be signed and mailed. It all depends. Be sure you’re well informed of the school’s request.

When to Submit It

Although there may not be specific deadlines, schools will want it in hand it by the end of January/beginning of February. If it is early in the application season, set a reminder for mid-January to do this. It’s imperative that you remember!

How to Update the Transcript

For the Midyear Report, only a few things need to change on the transcript.

1. Label headers in Senior Year so that it’s clear what you’re reporting.
You may need to add additional columns: Fall or IP (In Progress), Spring, and Final columns are common options. Choose what reflects your teen’s story best.
2. Add first semester grades.
Don’t have official semester grades? Add your teen’s current in-progress grade!
3. Update credits for any classes that are completed.
These are often one semester courses which occurred in the fall; community college classes fit the bill. (Do I sometimes see schools give half a credit for a class still in progress? Yup, but it’s not as common. Your call.)
4. Make any changes to spring semester course names if they are different than the initial transcript.
Stuff happens and changes are made to a schedule. Just be sure to note those changes on the transcript.
5. Recalculate the GPA, only if semester courses were completed.
Certain colleges, however, may recalculate your teen’s GPA using those semester grades once they have the midyear report in hand, so keep that in mind.
5. Remember to sign the updated transcript!

The Questions They Ask

Some institutions will ask students or counselors to add anything they’d like. This can be an ideal opportunity to update admissions with a very brief personal statement. Write a few powerful sentences about it.

Should You Submit Your Course Descriptions?

If you didn’t include spring semester course descriptions in your previous submission, include them now. If your courses changed focus or changed altogether, feel free to include these course descriptions as well. Add this information to your homeschool transcript.

Has Your Teen Received Special Recognition?

Awesome! This is a perfect time and place to highlight exciting updates about your homeschooler. If there isn’t a section provided to note these achievements, add a page to your transcript document. Do you now see how valuable Midyear Reports are?

What about Community College or University Grades During Senior Year?

If your homeschooler has received semester grades from a college or university, it’s important that those transcripts be sent directly to the school. This is also something to note in your calendar, as you should make the request early enough to be processed in time.

Don’t Forget the Final Report!

The Final Report is handled essentially the same way. Update the transcript with grades, credits, recalculated GPA, and send by the end of June/middle of July. There is one important difference!

Be sure to include the words “Final Transcript” along with the official graduation date. And, once again, don’t forget to sign!

The Final Report also holds a lot of value, especially to a student on a college’s waitlist. So, if your homeschooler’s top choice has them on a waitlist, their final grades may be just the thing that puts them in the acceptance pile! Keep encouraging!

One Thing to Do

Add a reminder to your calendar for late January to submit your report!

Note: If your homeschooler is applying ED or EA at a school, and has a very strong first quarter, go ahead and send those grades in mid-November. Strong grades can have a positive impact on admission!