Master number

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain the master number to me? Just what it is/means? No need for the algorithm. It's our first lottery (PK 3) and I'm hearing a lot about the "master number". Our numbers are:

Stokes (Spanish) - #61
Powell Elementary School - #21
Creative Minds International PCS - #22
DC Bilingual PCS- #53
Tyler Elementary School - #37
Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - #72
Washington Yu Ying PCS - #59

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Your master number refers to the order in which your child's name was drawn and placed on the waitlists for the schools you selected. It refers to whether your application was considered earlier or later than others.

[Anonymous]

Here goes...

You were assigned a random number as was everyone else. Then the lottery happened, and on a random basis, one of those mater numbers was chosen as the first number in the lottery. When people talk about a master number they are referring to where your randomly generated number fit in the lottery list. For instance, someone got lucky and their randomly generated number was the first number (master #1). Then the algorithm starts looking at preferences assigned on order of master. Your WL # at each school is based on preferences (e.g., IB, sibling, staff) but respect to that master #. So when someone has single digits WL# at HRCS and other in demand schools then one can conclude that their master # was excellent.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

So based on your waitlist #s - you got a decent "master" but not good enough to get you in. You are on the bubble for a few schools. Keep your fingers crossed - and have a back up plan.

[Anonymous]

You had a much better master # than us with similar schools! IB is Langley but we will be going to UMD's CYC. Trying again next year!

Stokes (french) - #153
Creative Minds International PCS - #250
Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - #255
Washington Yu Ying PCS - #254

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You had a much better master # than us with similar schools! IB is Langley but we will be going to UMD's CYC. Trying again next year!

Stokes (french) - #153
Creative Minds International PCS - #250
Mundo Verde Bilingual PCS - #255
Washington Yu Ying PCS - #254

Loved CYC. Stayed in their summer programs after we started PK in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your master number refers to the order in which your child's name was drawn and placed on the waitlists for the schools you selected. It refers to whether your application was considered earlier or later than others.

Thank you! Makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here goes...

You were assigned a random number as was everyone else. Then the lottery happened, and on a random basis, one of those mater numbers was chosen as the first number in the lottery. When people talk about a master number they are referring to where your randomly generated number fit in the lottery list. For instance, someone got lucky and their randomly generated number was the first number (master #1). Then the algorithm starts looking at preferences assigned on order of master. Your WL # at each school is based on preferences (e.g., IB, sibling, staff) but respect to that master #. So when someone has single digits WL# at HRCS and other in demand schools then one can conclude that their master # was excellent.

Hope this helps.

Thank you very much! Well explained.

[Anonymous]

How can you find out your master number? The first year we did the common lottery it was absurdly bad- 0.996 or something. This year we matched with our #1 choice. I wonder what it is?