exchange student problem!!

<p>Im an international student about to apply to american unis. i was an exchange student for my junior year in america, and i had an intense course load at a very competitive high school (3 ap sciences + a very hard us history class). due to loads of issues i ended up with a horrible gpa. ( i managed to do quite well on the ap exams though, except for physics). so when i came back, i decided to repeat the year in my country. im taking a very heavy course load again, and have done very well so far. i should have graduated by now, but im currently in my senior year. im wondering if i should send my transcripts for that year, or not use them at all. im also wondering if its better if i explained my bad grades in an additional info essay, since i actually learnt a lot from that experience which made me do better this past year. what should i do???</p>