colgatehopeful09

Hi everybody, Cornell's School of Hotel Administration has been my dream school for the longest time, and I was wonder what my chances are of getting in ED and any tips to improve my chance.

Asian female
NJ public school with...
2 people who got into the Hotel School RD 2 yrs ago (1 of them was GT)
2 people who got into the Hotel School RD THIS year
*honors/AP courses at my hs are deflated, hence low gpa
GPA: 4.2 w (school does not provide uw gpa)
Rank: 5-6% (~307 students in grade)
PSAT: 212 - most likely NM Commended
ACT: 31
SAT: 2070
SAT II: 770 Math II
APs: (this year) Calculus BC, US History, Chemistry, (next year) Spanish, Statistics
ECs: Marching Band, Varsity Swim Team (Captain sr. yr.), Math Team, Spanish Honors Society, NHS, & Volunteer at local places
Prospective hooks: (this summer) Cornell Summer College - Hotel Operations Management

**I will most likely work for a hotel this summer.

So what are my chances?
And what are some ways to improve my chances?

Thanks so much in advance!!

tgc802

as long as you get that work experience this summer i would say you are definitely in. while i was a strong, well rounded student in the top 10% of my class, i took fewer ap/honors classes, had a lower gpa, and wayyyyy lower test scores, i got in rd. i did spend three summers working in the industry and my interview went really well. i wouldn't worry, as long as you communicate your desire to attend the hotel school and have stuff to back it up with, you're good.

Appleapple

Why is your sn colgate hopeful if you want to come to the hotel school? Your stats are very similar to mine. But I disagree with tgc802 on the fact that you are "definitely in." I dont think anyone is definitely in. My friend had better grades and more EC than me didnt get in. I mean your best bet is to have a good interview, show your interest, and hope for the best. Good luck!

norcalguy

You have done nothing thus far that has indicated an interest in the hospitality industry. So, why has the hotel school been your dream school for a long time? And why is your SN "colgatehopeful?"

colgatehopeful09

ugh, i knew my username would be an issue.
i haven't changed it because i hardly ever go on cc, and i DID used to like colgate before...until i actually visited it.

please disregard my username and just focus on my original post
thanks

Appleapple

You will most likely work in a hotel? What hotel? Do you have hospitality connections? because most upper level hotels are hesitant to hire high schoolers for just a summer (esp bc u guys have shorter breaks)

akaCondi

all i can tell you is to ace the interview. I also agree with other people what have you done that shows your interest in hospitality. Using myself as an example, I was involved in my church's culinary ministry, job shadowed a couple people in the industry, took classes at school, and am Serv Safe certified.

leigh787

the crux is not the interview but the the job experience. Of the people we accepted last year, 85% had hotel work experience. If you account for some of the athletes and legacies we took in who *might* not have had hotel work experience, the chances of getting in without having worked in a hotel are even worse than 15%.

akaCondi

so im rare. in the less than 15%

yousonofatree

akaCondi- even though you don't have job experience, job shadowing probably helped a lot. That's a pretty good idea for those who don't have time for a job.

p.s. just curious, how do you get Serv Safe certified?

Appleapple

im serv safe certified.... for 236 and 305

I didnt really have that much experience

leigh787

Oh man... 305. They're abolishing it for the class of 2011...

yousonofatree

oh really?? So will it be like that for 2012 as well?

Appleapple

WHAT??? I wish i didnt have to take 305...weekly free labor at banfi's...I am so jealous. You guys will also have spies for 106 (I love spies) because label is moving back to canada.

leigh787

... and he's taking all the chocolate with him...