Reply to More info on common lottery algorithm

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Here is the part that I find misleading in the Q&A:

[b]"The matching algorithm assigns each student a random lottery number and attempts to match each student with his or her first choice first, then his or her second choice, and so on. [/b][b]A student’s ranking of schools (the order a student puts schools on his or her application) is critical because the matching algorithm attempts to match each student with his or her first choice first, then his or her second choice, and so on. [/b]

I think a better way to say it is: "The computer assigns each student a single tracking number for the lottery. The lottery algorithm uses a complex formula to assign students to schools based on randomization of tracking numbers for each school within the preferences allowed for that school (in-boundary, sibling, proximity, founder, etc.)." I would stay away from saying that they try to assign you to your first choice, second choice, etc., because it leads people to believe that they choose you in the lottery and then the computer puts you in your highest-ranked choice that has a space, and that is not how it happens.[/quote]

Email sent.  We'll see![/quote]

Thanks![/quote]

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