Random strategy for lottery, will it work?

[Anonymous]

Based on the stats you list, I would say you have a 50/50 chance of getting shut out. Because lots of people get shut out. You can't really have a strategy for good schools because it's ruled by luck; if your strategy is to get in ANYWHERE, then the only strategy is to pick unpopular schools with lots of spots.

[Anonymous]

I agree with a PP that I think the only "strategy" involved is placement of your IB school and where it goes on the list if it's usually full IB - and it only matters if you're doing PK3 or PK4.

My situation:
IB for PK3 is not that great. Was completely full this year after Round 2, about 80% IB. With the baby boom, it's fairly likely that it may fill in Round 1 this go around. So my options are:

1) List IB last / 12th, get in failing all others, but run the risk of missing even that and having to go private.
2) List IB higher, get in there and miss admission/waitlist opportunities at HRCS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with a PP that I think the only "strategy" involved is placement of your IB school and where it goes on the list if it's usually full IB - and it only matters if you're doing PK3 or PK4.

My situation:
IB for PK3 is not that great. Was completely full this year after Round 2, about 80% IB. With the baby boom, it's fairly likely that it may fill in Round 1 this go around. So my options are:

1) List IB last / 12th, get in failing all others, but run the risk of missing even that and having to go private.
2) List IB higher, get in there and miss admission/waitlist opportunities at HRCS

Why would listing your IB school last decrease your chances of getting in? That's not my understanding of how the lottery works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with a PP that I think the only "strategy" involved is placement of your IB school and where it goes on the list if it's usually full IB - and it only matters if you're doing PK3 or PK4.

My situation:
IB for PK3 is not that great. Was completely full this year after Round 2, about 80% IB. With the baby boom, it's fairly likely that it may fill in Round 1 this go around. So my options are:

1) List IB last / 12th, get in failing all others, but run the risk of missing even that and having to go private.
2) List IB higher, get in there and miss admission/waitlist opportunities at HRCS

Why would listing your IB school last decrease your chances of getting in? That's not my understanding of how the lottery works.

It doesn't. Where you list a school has no effect on your chances of getting into that particular school (unless you get into a higher-ranked school.) The lottery is designed to be strategy-proof, and it works. List your choices in your actual order of preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with a PP that I think the only "strategy" involved is placement of your IB school and where it goes on the list if it's usually full IB - and it only matters if you're doing PK3 or PK4.

My situation:
IB for PK3 is not that great. Was completely full this year after Round 2, about 80% IB. With the baby boom, it's fairly likely that it may fill in Round 1 this go around. So my options are:

1) List IB last / 12th, get in failing all others, but run the risk of missing even that and having to go private.
2) List IB higher, get in there and miss admission/waitlist opportunities at HRCS

Why would listing your IB school last decrease your chances of getting in? That's not my understanding of how the lottery works.

It doesn't. Where you list a school has no effect on your chances of getting into that particular school (unless you get into a higher-ranked school.) The lottery is designed to be strategy-proof, and it works. List your choices in your actual order of preference.

+1 Put your IB school last if it really is your last choice. You have an excellent chance of getting in there at all but a handful of DCPS.

[Anonymous]

OP here. My IB School is last in my list.
I still have to go to an open house but what I've heard/read is not promising at all.
So, yeah, my IB School is there.