<p>At my school there are block schedules in place so we only go to half of your classes each day but spend more time in it. The problem is that classes such as math and science are doubled to be two periods so that we meet every day, but it also shows up on transcripts as two grades. This has really screwed up my GPA because the B’s I get in Math and Science bring me down because they are doubled. When colleges look at GPA, will they calculate with or without the duplicate classes? Especially for colleges in California such as UCLA or UC Berkeley. Thanks!</p>
<p>Talk to your guidance counselor - they are undoubtedly very experienced in this and I am sure have some way around this - many schools like this actually recreate transcripts manually for colleges to fit the specific needs that colleges have that may be different than the high school’s normal need.</p>
<p>I am familiar with block scheduling and if I understand correctly, you are saying that you are taking double the normal amount of math and science courses? If this is correct, I assume you are at a school specializing in engineering or science. But either way, you’re grades may be lower as a result when comparing GPAs to other students at other schools but they won’t have anywhere near the amount of math and science instruction that you’ve had. Your math and science coursework is likely much more advanced than the average high school student and thus you will be considered for the quality of the courses you’re taking rather than just looking at some GPA value. </p>
Not true. Block schedule only means that they do half of the subjects for six months then other half next six months vs doing all subjects all year long. They aren’t doing anything more or less than 7 period schools. This doesn’t qualify as STEM.
To OP’s question, colleges know that and they compare you against kids in your school, if other kids are doing good then you are at disadvantage but if everyone’s score is low then you are okay.
@WorryHurry411 that does not sound like block scheduling, that sounds like learning by semesters.
I am not familiar with California, D applied to privates mostly on the east coast.
I think OP defined block scheduling pretty well and it sounds like he takes 2X as much math in a block cycle as he does English or global studies, so it counts 2X as much.
If your school is large and well known (eg Bronx Science) you have no problem unless you are doing worse than your peers who are applying to similar schools. You are also fine if you go to a science magnate school that is known for being competitive.
If you go to a non specialized smaller, less well known school where not a lot of people apply, then yes colleges compare you to kids in your school but unless your school ranks or lists the grades in each class (eg Ms. Thomas gave out 4As, 3Bs in AP Calculus or whatever), they have no idea how to evaluate the B you got in math if it is low for them. Yes they can ask your GC but that assumes they are interested enough in you to begin with. OTOH, perhaps your GC has a way of explaining it. Talk to him. I would start with Naviance and see where your stats admit you based on where other people have applied. If your school does not have a good track record, then perhaps it is time to bring your parents into the discussion, maybe it is time to figure out a work around this, not just for you but for other students as well. Same is true if only strong math students get into their first choices and English students are routinely shafted.
It sounds like this system is an advantage for kids good in math and bad for everyone else. Do you take two tests in math or just one? If it is only one, maybe they can have a system where you can choose whether you want double credit or not?