The presentation will take place in a hybrid format via zoom interface or in person in the room K.0.11-12 on 10.10.2024, from 11.30 to 12.30.
Speaker: Ran Shorrer
Title: Hedging in the College Application Problem
Abstract: An applicant applies to a portfolio of colleges while being uncertain about her prospects. Admissions decisions are correlated insofar as rejection from one college makes her pessimistic about her odds at other colleges. We develop a simultaneous search framework that accounts for this correlation. An applicant hedges by applying to a broad range of colleges, including safety schools. Those who have more confidence or better outside options apply to higher-ranked schools. If application costs decrease, the applicant broadens her optimal portfolio. We find an algorithm that yields the optimal solution in polynomial time.
