So much less frenzy these days - does that mean Common Lottery is really really working?

[Anonymous]

As someone who was constantly on this site this time of year the last 2 years, I'm fascinated that this year things seem so noticeably calmer! There was such a frenzy in the past about which schools, getting open house info right, rumors about admissions, etc.

So is this the new normal forDC lottery season, this calm (at least on the surface) everyone seems to have?

[Anonymous]

I think the timing has changed (ish), and that for many EDUfest is "kick off". There's frankly not a ton of value to open houses in October and November unless you desperately need to recruit.

I wouldn't read too much into it.

[Anonymous]

I would say yes. Also have to consider there are more and more "safe" schools to go around. I do think we will start to see more shuffling in K, 1st and 2nd than in years past. These parents don't tend to post on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the timing has changed (ish), and that for many EDUfest is "kick off". There's frankly not a ton of value to open houses in October and November unless you desperately need to recruit.

I wouldn't read too much into it.

I took it as OP was referring to pre count day. There was considerably less chatter and overall movement on WLs all around.

[Anonymous]

Yes. The Common Lottery concept has been a resounding success. Algorithms for Everyone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would say yes. Also have to consider there are more and more "safe" schools to go around. I do think we will start to see more shuffling in K, 1st and 2nd than in years past. These parents don't tend to post on DCUM.

Who are "these parents?" Parents with kids in K-2nd? I'm confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say yes. Also have to consider there are more and more "safe" schools to go around. I do think we will start to see more shuffling in K, 1st and 2nd than in years past. These parents don't tend to post on DCUM.

Who are "these parents?" Parents with kids in K-2nd? I'm confused.

Parents that get into a "safety" school or a school that is okay but not one that they wanted.

[Anonymous]

yes, 22:32 is right. Previously, people were jumping all over the place pre-count. now that people have to live with their choices, I think the only jumping that will happen is for those who only got into their last choice. And, since those folks have already chosen the other schools, and theoretically those schools were ranked higher, there isn't that "oh my God I know nothing about this school - is it better? Should I switch? " frenzy that used to go on.

[Anonymous]

I noticed that the waitlist shuffle was a lot less than it was the year before. I don't think the system is perfect by a long stretch but I do think that having one system instead of a dozen different ones results in a more orderly process overall.

I also agree that things may heat up once the lottery actually opens. Stay tuned for a billion threads with names like "List your lottery picks" or "Rate my lottery picks" come January, then another series of "Should I have chosen X for my lottery picks?" once lists are actually due.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I noticed that the waitlist shuffle was a lot less than it was the year before. I don't think the system is perfect by a long stretch but I do think that having one system instead of a dozen different ones results in a more orderly process overall.

I also agree that things may heat up once the lottery actually opens. Stay tuned for a billion threads with names like "List your lottery picks" or "Rate my lottery picks" come January, then another series of "Should I have chosen X for my lottery picks?" once lists are actually due.

Those are actually fun so you can see how your school ranks

[Anonymous]

Hopefully it's driving more people to do their research on their options sooner rather than later. Given all of the naive questions that would always pop up during the shuffle that was definitely the case in the past...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I noticed that the waitlist shuffle was a lot less than it was the year before. I don't think the system is perfect by a long stretch but I do think that having one system instead of a dozen different ones results in a more orderly process overall.

I also agree that things may heat up once the lottery actually opens. Stay tuned for a billion threads with names like "List your lottery picks" or "Rate my lottery picks" come January, then another series of "Should I have chosen X for my lottery picks?" once lists are actually due.

Those are actually fun so you can see how your school ranks

Ha, right?

[Anonymous]

What good is the lottery? Your kid isn't going to get into a decent school. DCPS EoTP sucks to high heaven with no viable options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What good is the lottery? Your kid isn't going to get into a decent school. DCPS EoTP sucks to high heaven with no viable options.

I'm not going to lie... this is how I feel too. But at least it means I'm not stressed about the lottery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What good is the lottery? Your kid isn't going to get into a decent school. DCPS EoTP sucks to high heaven with no viable options.

My dual language advanced kid begs to differ.