CEEB codes - what exactly are they?

Hi there! I keep seeing 'CEEB codes' come up when I'm looking into colleges and I'm kinda lost. Can somebody please explain what these are and why they're important for the college application process? Thanks in advance!

CEEB codes, or College Entrance Examination Board codes, are a standardized set of identification numbers assigned to every high school and college in the United States. They were developed by the College Board as a means of keeping track of the vast number of schools in the country.

For high schools, each one has its own unique CEEB code, usually a six-digit number. The code serves as a kind of "address" when sending test scores, transcripts, or other formal documents to colleges during the application process. It helps to ensure accuracy and avoid any miscommunications or misplacements. For example, when you're registering for the SAT or ACT, you'll be asked for your high school's CEEB code.

For colleges and universities, they also have their own CEEB codes. When you're filling out college applications, you might be asked for the CEEB code of the institution you're applying to.

If you need to know your high school's CEEB code, you can usually find it by contacting your school's guidance office or by searching for it online on the College Board's website. For the college CEEB codes, they have them listed on their own websites or you can look it up on the College Board's database as well.

So, while CEEB codes aren't something you'll directly interact with often, they'll be working behind the scenes of your college application process, helping to ensure everything ends up in the right place!