Anonymous wrote:And...some schools give you a deadline on when to accept a seat or they move down the list. For example, we had 3 days to accept our slot at a HRCS or they moved to the next family.

That happens at all schools when you get a spot off the waitlist--they will give you a certain amount of time. But if yoiu are offered a spot in the initial lottery, then every school gives you more than a month (until May 1st) to decide.

And...some schools give you a deadline on when to accept a seat or they move down the list. For example, we had 3 days to accept our slot at a HRCS or they moved to the next family.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what are the exact implications of accepting early vs late?

The implications of everyone accepting or declining early is that people find out more quickly about waitlist movement. But only if everyone does it. The personal implication for you accepting a spot and turning in your enrollment paperwork at the first available date is having it out of the way. You don't get "a better seat" when you accept first.

PP quoting myself. The only think I can think of is a situation where if you had twins and wanted them in separate classrooms, if you accept your places sooner rather than later, it would be easier to make that happen without moving other students between classes, but I don't think that's going to be an issue faced by most people.

Anonymous wrote:So what are the exact implications of accepting early vs late?

The implications of everyone accepting or declining early is that people find out more quickly about waitlist movement. But only if everyone does it. The personal implication for you accepting a spot and turning in your enrollment paperwork at the first available date is having it out of the way. You don't get "a better seat" when you accept first.

The timing of when you accept a spot makes not difference as to whether you hear from other schools. If you accept a spot, you are still waitlisted at other schools and will hear from them as soon as a spot opens up and you are next on the waitlist.

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean implications? I don't understand.

Meaning does it make any difference to accept as soon as the lottery results come out vs closer to the deadline. Does it change what happens in regard to the other schools you are waitlisted at or anything of the sort. What if you decline because there's a private school you like better than the one you got in through the lottery, are you still in the running for the ones you were waitlisted at, which you may prefer over the private school that accepted you?

What do you mean implications? I don't understand.

So what are the exact implications of accepting early vs late?

I smell a PG county resident using a pay stub. The questions about residency are telling. Enrollment requirements aren't a big deal if you actually live in the district.

Anonymous wrote:Why are you worried about proving residency?

likely because it's a big part of the process and is like "confirming" your spot. Doubt this first time lottery person is doing anything other than talking about the steps...

Why are you worried about proving residency?

I agree.

Yes. That is how it's done.

Yes, you let the school where you initially enrolled that you are declining the slot and accepting elsewhere, and you have to provide all the paperwork, including residency verification, to the new school.

First time lottery player here. Let's say my child is accepted at the school we rank 8th (let's say it's Cleveland). We accept and prove residency by May 1st. Then June rolls around and we get off the wait list for our 5th ranked school, which we would rather attend. How does this work if we've already accepted elsewhere? We tell the first school no thanks after all and then go back and prove residency for the new school? Thanks for any clarity.