Why Does The College Board Send ACT Scores in Bulk? (And Why They Might Be Late)
You’ve just finished the ACT. You’re exhausted, your brain feels like a scrambled egg, and you’re desperately craving a giant slice of pizza. But before you can even think about celebrating, a nagging question pops up: Why does the College Board send ACT scores in bulk?
Let’s be honest, this whole college application process is a bit of a mystery. We’re thrown into this whirlwind of standardized tests, essays, and applications, and the College Board just seems to be the puppet master pulling the strings.
So, why the delay? Why can’t they just send our scores out as soon as we finish the test? After all, we paid for them, right?
Well, my dear reader, the College Board is a complex organism with a mind of its own. Just like a sloth, it moves at its own pace.
Here’s the lowdown:
- The College Board is a massive organization: Think of them as a giant, bureaucratic machine churning out test scores like a factory. There are lots of moving parts, and sometimes the gears get a little jammed.
- Scores need to be verified and processed: Before they send your scores to colleges, they need to make sure everything is legit. Think of it as a quality control check to ensure no one’s cheating. This takes time, especially when you consider the sheer volume of tests they have to process.
- They send scores in batches: The College Board doesn’t send out your score report the moment you finish the test. They send them in batches, typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This can lead to delays, especially if you took the test on a non-standard day.
- Scheduling conflicts can happen: The College Board has to juggle a lot of demands. Sometimes, there are unavoidable scheduling conflicts that cause delays.
Think of it this way: Imagine you’re a chef in a restaurant. You can’t just whip up a meal the second someone orders it. You need to process the order, gather the ingredients, cook the food, and then present it to the customer. The College Board is like that chef, but instead of serving meals, they’re serving up scores.
But here’s the real kicker:The College Board charges extra for expedited scores. That’s right, if you want your scores sent out faster, you have to pay a premium. Talk about a money grab!
You might be thinking, “What’s the big deal? It’s only a few weeks.” But for some students, those few weeks can feel like an eternity. It’s stressful enough trying to get into college without having to worry about when your scores will arrive.
Here’s what you can do:
- Check with the College Board: If you’re worried about your scores, don’t hesitate to contact them. They might be able to give you an update on the status of your scores.
- Make sure you ordered the scores: Double-check that you actually ordered the scores to be sent to your chosen colleges. You wouldn’t believe how many students forget this crucial step!
- Be patient: As much as we hate to say it, patience is key. The College Board will eventually send your scores. Just try not to stress too much.
In the meantime, you can always distract yourself by binge-watching Netflix, obsessing over your college application essays, or simply enjoying the last few weeks of your high school life.
Remember: The college application process is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ve got this!
Need help with the college application process?
Reach out to the JobLoving community for support and guidance! We’re here to help you navigate the confusing world of college applications and make sure you don’t get lost in the bureaucratic maze.