Major question about transcripts

Applying to College
1

I’ve attended two different schools in during high school. (9th grade and the first semester of 10th in one school and the rest in another)

Previous one followed the GCSE British curriculum and the current follows the US curriculum (honors, AP’s)

As a result, when I transferred to my new school, my councellor had to decide which subjects to give credit for since I took 10 subjects.

Here’s the problem. My councellor only gave me credits for 6 out of the ten subjects I took. I’ve received 3 B’s (rest were A’s) and I got credit for all the subjects I received B’s in. Obviously, this has somewhat lowered my GPA.

When it comes to applying for colleges, do I send my request transcripts from both my previous school and current school? My councellor constantly tells me that I don’t have to ask my previous school since he has already given me credit and input the grades I got in that school into the transcript.

i’m pretty confused. I thought I ask my previous school for the grades of years that I attended (9th grade + 1st semester of 10th) and ask my current school to send off the remaining grades (2nd semester of 10th, 11th, and 12th)

Which is correct?

PS: In the British curriculum, the subject science is integrated, meaning we study all, bio, phyiscs, and chem. However, in order to simply things, he just gave me a biology credit for the GCSE science I took. Same applies to history. The subject ‘history’ in Britain consists of European and US history but the credit he gave me was ‘world history’.

I am greatful that he did this for me since I don’t want to take integrated science II, but won’t this create a conflict with my college? Because in my transcript, it will say I took “biology” and “world history” during 9th grade when in fact I took the GCSE curriculum of ‘science’ and ‘history’ which is rather different than those.

Thanks for reading; if any clarifications need to be made, please tell me!

2

<p>I don't have any direct knowledge of a situation like this, but I would definitely have both transcripts sent, and then include a supplemental essay explaining exactly what you have described in your post. Having both transcripts sent would certainly not hurt, and I think the colleges might actually require it. Can you write your essay on the experience of transferring your life from Britain to the US? Diversity.</p>

<p>It sounds as if your counselor did what he did in order to fulfill your requirements for graduation from the American high school. Would it be possible to have your parents intervene with the counselor to see if you can get a better deal?</p>

3

<p>perhaps its much better off if I ask the college I plan to attend. Thanks for the advice. and no, my parents arent very proficient in english and I think it will make the matter more complicated. my councellor doesnt have any experience in dealing with foreign students... thats why she doesn't understand my problem</p>

4

<p>I don't know how much you know about US colleges. There are over 2200 four-year colleges and the bulk are not selective. However, the top 50 or so are unbelievably selective. For these colleges, even for the outstanding applicants, the process resembles a lottery. The next 200-300 colleges are selective in different degrees. You said that you could ask the college you plan to attend about the transcripts. That is excellent, but most students applying to the selective schools apply to between five and nine colleges (safeties, matches and reaches). I think you should definitely have both transcripts sent along with an explanation, perhaps in the form of an essay. You should emphasize how different you are from the rest of the crowd that is applying, and also mention how English is not spoken in your home. Some of the college application guides have sections on how to apply from abroad. Although you are no longer abroad, these might give you some ideas.</p>

5

<p>only the top 25 are selective. UW, which is ranked 47, sucks</p>