The same thing happens every year (i.e. kids get accepted to multiple schools but only go to one, turning down the others). Recent experience enables schools to make a reasonably accurate guess about what their yield rate will be. They accept more kids than they have space for because they factor anticipated rejections into the mix. Some years they overestimate how many kids will accept, at which point they turn to the wait list. Other years, they underestimate and may end up a bit overcrowded which is generally temporary and can be adjusted by decreasing admissions to that class in the next entry year (and/or not replacing kids who leave). Most years, they get it about right and few if any kids get in off the waitlist.

Anonymous wrote:I asked the AD about the number of applicants. It was more than 120 for K, although I don't recall the exact number. All of the parents on the tour lived in DC and had acceptances to one of the following: Maret, GDS, Sidwell, St Pats, and Potomac. I suspect not many Potomac parents post on DCUM. So, I don't think you can draw many conclusions from this thread.

something just doesn't add up. i realize that postings here are unreliable, but if so many families had multiple acceptances why does it seem like there's no movement on ANY wait lists this year? i also find it curious that SO many DC families would suddenly start sending kids to potomac -- the schools you name seem far more convenient, for one thing.

I asked the AD about the number of applicants. It was more than 120 for K, although I don't recall the exact number. All of the parents on the tour lived in DC and had acceptances to one of the following: Maret, GDS, Sidwell, St Pats, and Potomac. I suspect not many Potomac parents post on DCUM. So, I don't think you can draw many conclusions from this thread.

Anonymous wrote:After acceptance letters went out, the AD indicated that for k, they had a lot of siblings this year. When we visited the school, parents with acceptances were considering Potomac along with Big 3 schools. The AD would not indicate how many students were accpeted in an effort to generate the expected yeild. Nor would she indicate the size of the waitlist.

this is interesting info -- thanks. i also heard about a lot of siblings this year but am curious about the number of applicants who are also considering the big 3 -- suggests that potomac isn't the podunk school that many DCUMers want to believe it is (especially if the other poster who says potomac is not likely to go to the w/l this year is right -- means they got a lot of kids who were also accepted to Big 3s, right?). i have heard Potomac takes a few more than the 48 it needs to fill the three K classes. also, the 2012 results survey shows 7 accepts and 10 w/ls for K -- that suggests A LOT of kids on the w/l this year (if only 7 of the 50 or so accepts posted, there must be a lot more than the 10 who also posted on the w/, right?). wonder how many applicants they had this year?

After acceptance letters went out, the AD indicated that for k, they had a lot of siblings this year. When we visited the school, parents with acceptances were considering Potomac along with Big 3 schools. The AD would not indicate how many students were accpeted in an effort to generate the expected yeild. Nor would she indicate the size of the waitlist.

PP I wouldn't get upset..depends on the year you are looking for..some years are easier than others.