What role does ranking play in the lottery?

[Anonymous]

I have heard several different answers to this question. My inbound school is extremely popular and we really like it. But we liked a charter a little more. Given the competitiveness of our IB school (it will likely fill with IB siblings except for a few slots), do we need to rank it #1 to have a chance to get in? The charter we like is also super popular so we have less of a chance there. Trying to figure out what ranking a school #1 does for your chances.

[Anonymous]

Suggest you read this thread: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/844676.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard several different answers to this question. My inbound school is extremely popular and we really like it. But we liked a charter a little more. Given the competitiveness of our IB school (it will likely fill with IB siblings except for a few slots), do we need to rank it #1 to have a chance to get in? The charter we like is also super popular so we have less of a chance there. Trying to figure out what ranking a school #1 does for your chances.

Literally rank them in the order you would like to go to them. Don't overthink this.

[Anonymous]

So everyone who goes into the lottery draws a unique lottery number. Imagine you are number 212.

They start from the person who draws number 1. They get their first choice. Then the person who draws number 2 gets their first choice -- unless their first choice is not available, in which case they get their next choice.

So imagine you, at number 212, have as your first choice your IB school. And imagine that school has 20 slots. So, you get your first choice (IB school) unless all 20 slots are filled. In which case they go to your second choice. And you get your second choice, unless that's also full. And so on down your list until you have a match. And then they go to number 213.

Like PP said, rank them in the order you want them. There's no mileage to ranking a less popular school higher. And crucially, if that IB school is NOT really your first choice but you rank it #1, there is no way the system can put you into the school you want more once you have been added to your #1 choice school.

[Anonymous]

The My School DC how the lottery works video is short and clear and accurate. Watch it.

Aside from 8:45, don't rely on what you read here. If you have a complicated situation -- moving to the city after the lottery, what happens to a sibling when one sibling gets an offer someplace -- call the MSDC staff and ask. They can give more tailored advice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOhe2s4PHbY

[Anonymous]

My kid got into a charter last year that we like. Can we still play the lottery or do we risk losing our spot in the charter school if we enter again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid got into a charter last year that we like. Can we still play the lottery or do we risk losing our spot in the charter school if we enter again?

You can play again. You only lose the current spot if you enroll somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard several different answers to this question. My inbound school is extremely popular and we really like it. But we liked a charter a little more. Given the competitiveness of our IB school (it will likely fill with IB siblings except for a few slots), do we need to rank it #1 to have a chance to get in? The charter we like is also super popular so we have less of a chance there. Trying to figure out what ranking a school #1 does for your chances.

Ranking does not impact in the way you are suggesting. You either match or you do not. What you are proposing to do actually will not get you into the charter, but the DCPS school Don't do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have heard several different answers to this question. My inbound school is extremely popular and we really like it. But we liked a charter a little more. Given the competitiveness of our IB school (it will likely fill with IB siblings except for a few slots), do we need to rank it #1 to have a chance to get in? The charter we like is also super popular so we have less of a chance there. Trying to figure out what ranking a school #1 does for your chances.

List the charter #1, the IB #2, and rank 3-12 acceptable safeties. If you get into your IB, you'll still be on the waitlist for the charter you like. If you get your #5, you'll still be on the waitlist for the charter you like and your IB.

What do you think of this approach, DCUM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard several different answers to this question. My inbound school is extremely popular and we really like it. But we liked a charter a little more. Given the competitiveness of our IB school (it will likely fill with IB siblings except for a few slots), do we need to rank it #1 to have a chance to get in? The charter we like is also super popular so we have less of a chance there. Trying to figure out what ranking a school #1 does for your chances.

List the charter #1, the IB #2, and rank 3-12 acceptable safeties. If you get into your IB, you'll still be on the waitlist for the charter you like. If you get your #5, you'll still be on the waitlist for the charter you like and your IB.

What do you think of this approach, DCUM?

If the IB is that hard to get into, it may be hard to find acceptable safeties within a reasonable distance.

Does PP actually prefer the IB or the favorite chartet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard several different answers to this question. My inbound school is extremely popular and we really like it. But we liked a charter a little more. Given the competitiveness of our IB school (it will likely fill with IB siblings except for a few slots), do we need to rank it #1 to have a chance to get in? The charter we like is also super popular so we have less of a chance there. Trying to figure out what ranking a school #1 does for your chances.

Literally rank them in the order you would like to go to them. Don't overthink this.

This all day long.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard several different answers to this question. My inbound school is extremely popular and we really like it. But we liked a charter a little more. Given the competitiveness of our IB school (it will likely fill with IB siblings except for a few slots), do we need to rank it #1 to have a chance to get in? The charter we like is also super popular so we have less of a chance there. Trying to figure out what ranking a school #1 does for your chances.

Literally rank them in the order you would like to go to them. Don't overthink this.

This all day long.

This is absolutely true, with the ONE caveat that if you fill your list with 12 schools with (historically) long wait lists, you may not match anywhere. So rank them according to preference, but unless you're okay with not matching, include one or some that you're highly likely to match at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have heard several different answers to this question. My inbound school is extremely popular and we really like it. But we liked a charter a little more. Given the competitiveness of our IB school (it will likely fill with IB siblings except for a few slots), do we need to rank it #1 to have a chance to get in? The charter we like is also super popular so we have less of a chance there. Trying to figure out what ranking a school #1 does for your chances.

Literally rank them in the order you would like to go to them. Don't overthink this.

This all day long.

This is absolutely true, with the ONE caveat that if you fill your list with 12 schools with (historically) long wait lists, you may not match anywhere. So rank them according to preference, but unless you're okay with not matching, include one or some that you're highly likely to match at.

Fair point. Rank all 12 in the order you desire, and feel free to reach for the stars with 1-11, but unless staying in daycare or going private is a legitimate option, put a "safety" at 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So everyone who goes into the lottery draws a unique lottery number. Imagine you are number 212.

They start from the person who draws number 1. They get their first choice. Then the person who draws number 2 gets their first choice -- unless their first choice is not available, in which case they get their next choice.

So imagine you, at number 212, have as your first choice your IB school. And imagine that school has 20 slots. So, you get your first choice (IB school) unless all 20 slots are filled. In which case they go to your second choice. And you get your second choice, unless that's also full. And so on down your list until you have a match. And then they go to number 213.

Like PP said, rank them in the order you want them. There's no mileage to ranking a less popular school higher. And crucially, if that IB school is NOT really your first choice but you rank it #1, there is no way the system can put you into the school you want more once you have been added to your #1 choice school.

But wouldn't you get your IB anyway? I thought that they HAD to take you even if full?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So everyone who goes into the lottery draws a unique lottery number. Imagine you are number 212.

They start from the person who draws number 1. They get their first choice. Then the person who draws number 2 gets their first choice -- unless their first choice is not available, in which case they get their next choice.

So imagine you, at number 212, have as your first choice your IB school. And imagine that school has 20 slots. So, you get your first choice (IB school) unless all 20 slots are filled. In which case they go to your second choice. And you get your second choice, unless that's also full. And so on down your list until you have a match. And then they go to number 213.

Like PP said, rank them in the order you want them. There's no mileage to ranking a less popular school higher. And crucially, if that IB school is NOT really your first choice but you rank it #1, there is no way the system can put you into the school you want more once you have been added to your #1 choice school.

But wouldn't you get your IB anyway? I thought that they HAD to take you even if full?

Not for preschool.