High School Dual-Credit Dragging me Down

Hello,

I am applying for Spring 2016 (History, COLA). After getting a B in two classes (89, 86) my cumulative GPA will come out to around a 3.2 with 34 credits earned. I earned a D in my econ class in high school (7am “zero hour” class), but I had extenuating circumstances (mother was in the hospital and I was the primary care-taker for my disabled brother).

If I am denied, how do I explain my high school dual credit grades dragging me down? If the D were taken out (credit doesn’t even transfer) my GPA would be close to a 3.5. I have made 4 A’s and 2 B’s since coming out of High school, so I have a great positive trend. Also, will colleges see that I took those classes in high school? For example, taking a class in the fall of 14’, when my class was 16’.

Thanks, all.