Why not just purchase an international minute plan for the month? I was away last summer (though not in the lottery at that point) and purchased minutes because we were in the process of closing on a home and needed to be accessible.

Which number do they call? On the application first there is a place for just one person and one number. Then, under the child's info, you fill out info of two caregivers with two phone numbers for each. Do schools call just the very first number on the list or would they leave messages on all of them? Any schools ever send emails too??

were in the same boat two years ago, I spent 5 weeks in Europe during the summer. I made sure the school knew that I was away and that I was going to take the spot, I left the phone number of a person in DC and I left my e-mail address, and most of all I called the school every week. my oldest child was already a student so they knew me, but I made sure they were hearing from me every week, just in case. the day the spot became available, the person who called me laughed saying that they had already put the name of my child down (I was in DC at that time, and they gave me 24 hours to bring the paper in. but you can ask somebody else to do it for you if you are away). in July you will probably need to just call, unless you are on very low numbers, a lot of movement happens right before school starts

Anonymous wrote:Do schools typically call or/and email? How many days do you get to accept the offered spot? Thanks for info!

They typically call. The amount of time varies by school and time of year. If it is close to school starting or after the start of school, you typically have 24-48 hours. Before that, you may have more time, depending on the school.

Do schools typically call or/and email? How many days do you get to accept the offered spot? Thanks for info!

If you end up on a wait list & are going to be hard to reach in July - you should call the principal of the school and let her/him know where/how to reach you & proactively that you are planning and want to accept the position if it opens. Depending on the school, you could even arrange to leave the necessary paperwork and proof of residency before you leave/are out of touch often.

Yes, you might. I received emails whike abroad last summer, but they were schools we decided against. But if you miss a call that could be tough.

Though I BELIEVE they will give you days (ie email you) not hours in the summer.

You will be able to login to your MSDC account to see if you have moved. The problem for you is that you have to prove residency in person, so if you are gone for a month and can't do the enrollment paperwork in person, they might move over you. (Each school will have its own policy on this). Good luck!

Most schools call. If you do not respond in a certain window you are SOL.

On the bright side - there is very little movement in July. With the common lottery there is really little movement at all.

So we will be traveling in Europe all of July. Could anyone tell me how do you get informed if a spot opens at a school on your list? Do they call or email? Do you have to be in DC in person to enroll right away? How much time do you have? What if I am not in DC? My phone won't really work in Europe...
Thanks!