I remember this well from working at the Department of Education. The high school admissions process in the city is fair but tough - with each school receiving thousands more applicants than they can accept, rejection is just part of the process, unfortunately.

From InsideSchools:

There's not much parents can do to cushion the blow of first round rejection for city high schools, though. It can be a pretty raw time. And the stakes are ever so much greater because the supply of excellent high schools does not meet the demand.

Last week some 27,000 New York City public school parents and students got news from the eight Specialized High Schools that require a competitive exam and from LaGuardia High School which requires an audition. Decisions are due Feb. 23, and are especially complicated because those who heard from the specialized schools also found out whether they were offered a spot at a non-specialized school.

It can be hard for parents to keep in check their anxiety about second round results, expected in late March. Some 21,000 students are in this category (compared with 5,261 who got into a specialized school). They can wait it out and check out some of the new high schools that are opening next year.