Harvard Admission Calculator Pitch

Sam Istvan

2026-06-26

Slide 1: The Problem & The Solution

Ivy League admissions can often be a black box. This means that applicants often have only a vague idea of their chances of being offered admission when they do apply. This means that they are unsure of whether they should be spending the time, effort, and application fee in the first place.

Our Harvard University Admission Chances Calculator solves this by: - Using real historical baseline institutional data (~3.65% acceptance rate). - Providing immediate, dynamic visual and textual analysis. - Empowering students to strategically test profile changes (e.g., Early Action).

Slide 2: Core Features of the App

The Shiny application includes several interactive elements:

  • Academic Sliders: Dynamic input selectors for Unweighted GPA, SAT, and ACT scores.
  • Rigor Tracking: A numeric inputs tracker for AP/IB courses completed.
  • Application Strategy: Timeline drop-downs mapping Regular vs. Early Action rules.
  • Generational Wealth Factor: Generational wealth can increase the attractiveness of an application to a university that is always seeking new avenues for funds and donations
  • Embedded Visuals: A responsive column bar-plot comparing individual metrics directly against the general applicant pool baseline.

Slide 3: Underlying Math Formula (Embedded R Code)

This slide contains real R code executed live during document generation:

```{r} # Example baseline data evaluation calculation base_rate <- 0.0365 sample_gpa <- 3.95 gpa_penalty <- (4.0 - sample_gpa) * 0.15

Slide 4: Application Timing Impact Analysis

#| echo: false early_action_multiplier <- 2.5 final_ea_odds <- (0.0365 - ((4.0 - 3.95) * 0.15)) * early_action_multiplier print(paste0(“Simulated Early Action Odds:”, round(final_ea_odds * 100, 2), “%”))