All spring 2022 students will receive a computer-generated lottery number. These numbers are weighted according to class level and are generated based on information provided by the Registrar’s Office. The number you received will determine your priority during the housing process. The lottery number will be provided to you in early March and will be used to select housing options.
If you want to use a scientific approach to playing the lottery, you can check the number’s frequency chart. Most state lottery programs will provide these charts, which will give you a good idea of how often your lottery number was drawn. For instance, lottery numbers that start with 0 or 3 are in the first quartile. Numbers that start with c or f are in the last quartile.
If your lottery number is low, you may not be able to get your first choice of school. However, if your lottery number is high, you may be able to get a higher choice. For instance, if you receive a low lottery number, you may have to choose a large school instead of a small one.
Using a single lottery number makes it easier to apply to your top choice school. The DOE has argued that it does not penalize students for having high lottery numbers because it increases the likelihood that their lottery number matches the one of their top choices. The DOE’s own studies show that a single lottery number helps students match to their top choice school. Moreover, it improves their chances of admission.