Anonymous
Post 01/09/2024 08:53     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Anonymous wrote:I did do an application, but apparently not one with this requirement. I went to the website to make sure I wasn't missing a step and this requirement is no where to be seen in the summary info.


Sounds like you only applied to HB. Arlington Tech and IB require it, HB does not. That's the lottery our family didn't enter. The paragraph box is embedded in the application and there is a check the box for the student confirming it's their work.

Can APS confirm that the student wrote it? Not any more than any other college or school can confirm that the student wrote the essay.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2024 08:40     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Where is this publicized? As far as I know they still have to follow the established procedures so it's full lottery. As long as there is something submitted it can't help or hurt the kid's chances. How would they even know if the child or parent wrote it?
It's not on the APS website where you apply for the lotteries from what I can see.


PPs, tell me you haven't done the application without telling me you haven't done the application. It's there, and at least in the Arlington Tech presentation they talked about it.
I did do an application, but apparently not one with this requirement. I went to the website to make sure I wasn't missing a step and this requirement is no where to be seen in the summary info.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2024 08:38     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
It's pointless busywork. Too many kids apply and it's really pure lottery unless your kid writes a horrible essay or doesn't have at least a B average. A great essay and a just-fine essay won't have any impact.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2024 08:34     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
It’s only for Arlington tech and maybe IB (I didn’t try that one). It’s clearly a step in the schoolmint application. HB is still straight lottery for both 6th and 9th. I have a kid rising in both grades.

I think a handful of coherent sentences is sufficient for Arlington tech.
Anonymous
Post 01/09/2024 07:08     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Where is this publicized? As far as I know they still have to follow the established procedures so it's full lottery. As long as there is something submitted it can't help or hurt the kid's chances. How would they even know if the child or parent wrote it?
It's not on the APS website where you apply for the lotteries from what I can see.


PPs, tell me you haven't done the application without telling me you haven't done the application. It's there, and at least in the Arlington Tech presentation they talked about it.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 22:11     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Anonymous wrote:I entered my rising 6th grader in the HB lottery weeks ago and there was no requirement listed.


OP is talking about the 9th grade lotteries.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 13:56     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Anonymous wrote:Where is this publicized? As far as I know they still have to follow the established procedures so it's full lottery. As long as there is something submitted it can't help or hurt the kid's chances. How would they even know if the child or parent wrote it?
It's not on the APS website where you apply for the lotteries from what I can see.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 13:43     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
I entered my rising 6th grader in the HB lottery weeks ago and there was no requirement listed.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 13:39     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Anonymous wrote:They made the kids do this for IB last year-- I guess they have expanded now to other schools. It seemed like a total waste of time to me. Unless they are going to throw kids out of the lottery based on their responses (which didn't seem to be the case....), then it is just pointless busywork.


That's my question. If my DC spends 10min and writes a few semi-coherent sentences, does that suffice. From your answer it sounds like that's a yes.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 13:37     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Anonymous wrote:APS has instituted a requirement for the student to write a paragraph about the program in order to enter the lottery for Arlington Tech, HB and IB. Can anyone share whether we should take this super seriously as if they will be assessing the quality of the paragraph against a rubric, or if it's really to make sure the kid knows what they're applying for?

During the Arlington Tech virtual info session they seemed to imply it was the latter but we were unable to attend the sessions at W-L and HB. Should we be editing this, and making DC do second and third drafts the way you would a college application essay to make sure it's super polished or is this a fairly low-level bar? We know which programs DC is interested in, but not sure how much time we should expect to spend this week before Friday's deadline.


They made the kids do this for IB last year-- I guess they have expanded now to other schools. It seemed like a total waste of time to me. Unless they are going to throw kids out of the lottery based on their responses (which didn't seem to be the case....), then it is just pointless busywork.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 13:03     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Where is this publicized? As far as I know they still have to follow the established procedures so it's full lottery. As long as there is something submitted it can't help or hurt the kid's chances. How would they even know if the child or parent wrote it?
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 12:37     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Anonymous wrote:It’s probably to ensure only students truly interested in these programs apply for them. Highly motivated students are critical to the continued success of these APS option programs. Perhaps too many families are just applying to these programs for the sake of applying, without assessing the appropriateness?


OP and yes that's why they are doing it which makes sense. My question is how heavily weighted that paragraph is or is there a rubric somewhere that I haven't found.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 12:34     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
It’s probably to ensure only students truly interested in these programs apply for them. Highly motivated students are critical to the continued success of these APS option programs. Perhaps too many families are just applying to these programs for the sake of applying, without assessing the appropriateness?
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 11:55     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
Is this for High School entrance only or does it also apply to Middle school for HB as well? First I am hearing of this requirement.
Anonymous
Post 01/08/2024 09:28     Subject: Required paragraph for entry into APS lotteries
APS has instituted a requirement for the student to write a paragraph about the program in order to enter the lottery for Arlington Tech, HB and IB. Can anyone share whether we should take this super seriously as if they will be assessing the quality of the paragraph against a rubric, or if it's really to make sure the kid knows what they're applying for?

During the Arlington Tech virtual info session they seemed to imply it was the latter but we were unable to attend the sessions at W-L and HB. Should we be editing this, and making DC do second and third drafts the way you would a college application essay to make sure it's super polished or is this a fairly low-level bar? We know which programs DC is interested in, but not sure how much time we should expect to spend this week before Friday's deadline.