Do You Need a College Board Account After High School? (Spoiler Alert: Maybe, Maybe Not)
The world of college applications can be a confusing maze of acronyms and deadlines, leaving many students feeling like they’re navigating a jungle with a map drawn by a drunken monkey. And one of the most common questions that arise is: “Do I need my College Board account after high school?”
Well, buckle up, because the answer is a resounding “It depends!”
Think of it like this: Your College Board account is like that old, tattered backpack you lugged around all through high school. It’s got your SAT scores tucked inside, maybe some AP exam receipts, and a few crumpled notes from your guidance counselor. You might think you’re done with it, but it might still hold some valuable stuff you need to access later.
Here’s the deal:
You’ll definitely need it if:
- You’re still sending SAT or AP scores: You know those dreaded standardized tests that haunt your college application nightmares? Well, you can access and send your scores through your College Board account. So, if you’re still applying to colleges that require those scores, keep that account handy!
- You’re using College Board resources: College Board offers a treasure trove of resources beyond just testing. Their BigFuture® website is a goldmine for college and career planning, and you’ll need your account to access those tools.
- You’re a college student using CLEP: The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows you to earn college credit for knowledge acquired outside of traditional classroom settings. If you’re using CLEP to gain college credit, your College Board account is your gateway to this wondrous world.
You might not need it if:
- You’re done with college applications: If you’ve submitted all your applications and are ready to graduate high school, you might be tempted to ditch your College Board account like a pair of worn-out sneakers. But hold on! You might need those scores to apply for scholarships or other post-secondary programs.
- You’re not using College Board resources: If you’re not actively using BigFuture® or other College Board resources, you might not need to keep your account open. Just remember, you can always reactivate it if you need to access your scores or other information.
The College Board’s stance is clear: they encourage you to keep your account active, even after high school. They tout the benefits of staying connected to their resources and services. But they’re not going to force you to keep it open if you don’t feel like it.
So, do you need to keep your College Board account after high school?The answer depends on your own unique circumstances and what your future holds.
Think about it this way: If you’re going to use any of the College Board’s resources or need to access your test scores, it’s probably a good idea to keep your account active. But if you’re not planning on using those services, you can always deactivate it and reactivate it later if you need to.
Essentially, it’s like keeping your old college textbooks: You might not need them right now, but you never know when you might need to brush up on some forgotten knowledge.
Here’s a quick checklist to help you decide:
- Will you apply to any colleges that require your SAT/ACT scores?
- Do you plan to use College Board resources like BigFuture® or CLEP?
- Do you need to access your AP scores for any future academic or professional purposes?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then it’s probably a good idea to keep your College Board account active. If you answered “no” to all of them, then you can probably safely deactivate your account and forget about it.
But remember, the world of college and career planning is constantly changing, so stay informed and keep your options open!
Need more help navigating the murky waters of college applications and the College Board?Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at JobLoving! We love to help students (and their parents) navigate this confusing world and find the resources they need to succeed.