I'm not so sure. I haven't done the math but I think you can strategize here: pick your #1 preference as #1 on your list... But then put the most popular school

I'm not so sure. I haven't done the math but I think you can strategize here: pick your #1 preference as #1 on your list... But then put the most popular school as your #2 (instead of your personal actual second preference). Odds that you end up getting picked by the algorithm for a mutually beneficial trade is high.