Event Waitlist and Capacity Transparency

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

rookies are pretty well known for registering late. I'd hate to give a team false optimism about being on the waitlist, or to deny a rookie a spot just because they signed up late.

Not to fork the excellent discussion occurring in this thread, but on this note, perhaps the line does need to be drawn on rookies registering late (and I suggest drawing that line in the month of October). November and December is too late for a school to just begin to decide that they want to participate in FRC in January.

With a Rookie drop-out rate of nearly 45%, and data to show that later-registering rookies are more likey to not return the following year, we really do need to question whether it's worth it to allow these last-minute registrations by unprepared schools. FRC is a big kid's game, and it's not for everybody. Perhaps these late-registering teams need to take a year to attend some events, fund raise, and gather mentors before jumping into this, bankrupting themselves, and folding. What's the point in putting all the effort into starting new teams if nearly half of them are not managed well and/or have a poor experience and do not return the next year?

[dag0620]

Typically late rookie registration happens because they're often waiting on hearing back on grants before they sign up. I know RDs and FSMs working with rookies try to prevent late registration as much as possible, including encouraging them to register anyway since there is no penalty to drop out. I'm not sure if that's something to avoid though.

[Lil' Lavery]

Jon Stratis,

For starters, I'm assuming the RD would be aware of at least a good chunk of those rookies before they actually register, and would set the waitlist status accordingly. However, that's the risk you take with any waitlist, and why the waitlist exists in the first place rather than just putting teams right onto the roster of attending teams. The RD would simply have the ability to publicly show a status to teams curious about the event.

[wireties]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Perhaps these late-registering teams need to take a year to attend some events, fund raise, and gather mentors before jumping into this, bankrupting themselves, and folding.

I agree in principal but don't most rookie grants insist that you compete as a condition of the grant. I know the NASA grants do.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by wireties

I agree in principal but don't most rookie grants insist that you compete as a condition of the grant. I know the NASA grants do.

You don't need a grant to show up at an event and talk to teams. You do need some guidance personnel and teams would be happy to provide, and permission from the sponsoring organization to attend, but those are both easier than building a robot as a rookie with no bearings and less time.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Karthik

I would be okay with this, and would greatly prefer it to sitting on a waitlist with 20 teams and only 5 spots, and missing my chance to sign up for a wait list with just 5 teams and 20 spots. I can understand the arguments of keeping things private to allow the RD to make subjective decisions based on extenuating circumstances, but I think that showing the number waitlisted teams and reserved spots is a very good compromise.

Karthik,
I read a few comments here. Your's sounds like the most sensible one.
While our program has been fortunate to have participated in multiple regional events over the years, not every team has the same circumstances when signing up for an event. As regionals have saved spots for newer and rookie teams, there are still a bunch of veterans that are faced with similar financial/organizational challenges that make it difficult to get into events.

Knowing how many are on the waitlist, gives teams a better perspective on how to plan the rest of their FRC season accordingly, in case they cant get in.

Originally Posted by JB987

FYI,
Our good friends from 1717 have decided once again to join us at LVR. Sometimes it's worth traveling extra miles for the opportunity to attend a great regional

1717 has just registered for the Ventura regional. Do you know if they will still be attending LVR as a third?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence

1717 has just registered for the Ventura regional. Do you know if they will still be attending LVR as a third?

They're the same weekend

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

They're the same weekend

Ah. For some reason I was thinking LVR was week 6.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence

1717 has just registered for the Ventura regional.

Can I get that secret registration link too? ....

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Can I get that secret registration link too? ....

Have you spoke with the RD?

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Have you spoke with the RD?

Good Point Adam.
Perhaps FIRST should note to teams that if you need more info on the status of your pending registration at an event, talk to the RD.
We definitely talk to RD's prior to signing up for any event. I'm not so sure everyone knows that they are the best source of information about event capacity.

[Tungrus]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Have you spoke with the RD?

When there is online registration system, there is no need to contact RD by phone or e-mail. It doesn't make sense! As teams are put on wait list just give them a number or something, so they can make decision.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Tungrus

When there is online registration system, there is no need to contact RD by phone or e-mail. It doesn't make sense! As teams are put on wait list just give them a number or something, so they can make decision.

When you're trying to make a decision, and the information is NOT AVAILABLE online, then you SHOULD contact the RD. Particularly when the list--and coming off of it--is mainly in the RD's hands.