The nail biting is over for most 8th graders who received their high admissions letter in the mail over spring recess. Unfortunately for some, uncertainty will linger a bit longer. Many 8th graders are first learning today from their middle school's guidance counselors where -- and whether -- they've been matched for high school next fall. Then there are a stressed-out few, from both public and private schools, that as of Wednesday afternoon reported that they neither have received a letter in the mail nor been able to get their child's high school assignment from the guidance counselor.

Every year the wait for the main round high school admissions letters is a nerve-wracking experience. This year the stress of not-knowing reached a new high. Delays initially caused by the UFT lawsuit against the Department of Education were compounded by the logistics of having to switch gears -- mailing roughly 80,ooo letters over the spring recessinstead of handing them out to students at school prior to the start of vacation.

Every year many students don't get matched to any school in the first round - last year nearly 7500. We're still waiting to hear from the DOE how this year's crop of 8th and 9th grader fared. Those who weren't accepted anywhere must choose from a list of schools that still have vacancies in what is called the "supplementary round".

This year more than 300 schools, some offering multiple programs, still have openings.  At first glance, there are many large neighborhood schools listed, along with many of the new schools that have opened in the past few years, or are opening next fall. There are also many schools with an arts focus.

If you haven't seen the supplementary round list of schools already, check it out here. <!--more-->

I didn't get matched with a school. What do I do?

Students who were not matched with a school must reapply,choosing up to 12 schools from the list. There will be a supplementary round high school fair held on Thursday, April, 22 from 6 - 9 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. High School complex located at 122 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan.

Supplementary round applications are due back to guidance counselors by Thursday, April, 29.   All students will be matched to a school during this round. Typically, students find out their supplementary round match three to four weeks after the application deadline.   Of course, this is not a typical year and we're waiting to find out the new deadline for supplementary round matching letters.

I was matched with a school, but don't want to go there. What do I do?

If you're not happy with your assigned high school, you can appeal, although there's no guarantee of success.  In order to appeal, you must be matched with a school.  If you didn't get a match in the main round, then you'll have to first to go through the supplementary round.

Ask your middle school guidance counselor for an Appeal From, or contact your borough enrollment office.  It can't hurt to reach out to the schools that you are requesting on appeal. Send them a brief note along with a copies of your appeal letter, your child's transcript and best work samples.

We'll report more news soon as we get it.  Stay tuned.