ayyyyyyy0

hi, i'm a senior, and i'm really interested in cornell's hotel school. however, i've heard that experience is heavily weighed in admission, and unfortunately, i don't have a lot. i've volunteered in my school's guidance office, volunteered in a museum as a student ambassador, and currently work at a clothing store, but nothing hotel-related unfortunately.

my other stats are alright. 2300 sat, 800/780 sat ii's, good extra currics, etc. but... do you think i have a shot despite my lack of experience?

BartleDoo

it's hard to tell. what's your gpa?

Interviews are required for the Hotel School so if you don't come across as passionate and determined in this field, I doubt your chance will be good even with great stats.

chendrix

Sometimes the experience section isn't about the hospitality industry. I'd say retail counts as experience, especially if you dealt with customers.

RealMadrid1

well I applied to the hotel school ED and my SAT'S were not as good as yours but I had a kick-ass interview and I have quite a bit of experience in the hotel sector for my age.

-Summer internship at a beach resort in mexico
- Current job working front desk at a local hotel
- Several serving jobs at this lodge.

let me give you a suggestion....it worked for me.

go to your local Hampton inn or La quinta and ask if they have internships or small job opportunities for a couple of hours a week. Tell them it is for experience for the hotel school
and Im sure they will be happy to help.

good luck...Im also pretty anxious.

xO lilmissasian

I also applied ED... my stats are pretty much the same as yours: 2300 GPA, etc.

I talked to an admissions officer and she stressed that it's all about showing fit and that experience def doesn't have to be hotel related, but ANY work experience is strongly encouraged.

If you wrote (write?...if you're doing RD) good essays demonstrating your passion for hospitality and your strengths that contribute to the school, you should be fine.

Good luck!

qungun

Your scores look decent - just make sure you got the ECs down.

ayyyyyyy0

well here are my stats:

1) Basics:
Ethnicity: Asian
Sex: Female
Location: NJ
non-competitive public school (or at least i think ... ~7 people got into lower tier ivies this year, but this is unusually large)
school doesn't rank, but top 5% (smallest percentage my school goes to)

2) GPA/courseload:
~4.4-4.5 weighted GPA // unweighted .. not sure. I'll have all A's/A+'s except for two B+'s at the end of this year
- hardest courseload possible: AP Psych, AP Chem, AP Lang & Comp; rest are honors
- APs: 5 on Psych & Chem
- Senior Courseload: 5 APs: french, calc, lit, USH, bio

3) Test Scores
800 Math Level II / 700 on Bio / 780 on Chem
2300 SAT
35 ACT

4) Extracurriculars
-cofounder/pres of a human rights club. (10, 11, 12) -- our first year, took a lot of effort to start, but raised several hundred dollars and planned 2 successful schoolwide events so far.
-treasurer of Key Club (9, 10, 11, 12)
-captain of Science League (9,10,11,12)
-President of Chemistry Olympics (10,11,12)
-exec board officer of Peer Tutoring (10, 11, 12)
-representative/exec board member of SGO (10,11,12)
-VP/treasurer of human psychology club (11,12)
-delegate for Model UN (10,11,12)
-lacrosse (9,10,11,12) 2 years JV/2 years Varsity
(... the rest are insignificant clubs that i won't put down.)
- inventing is also a passionate hobby of mine, started when i was very young. have won multiple awards ... see below. and have a uniqueish? story behind this.

5) Volunteering
- student ambassador at a well-known science museum, 200+ hours
- guidance office volunteer, 300+ hours
- various activities through Key Club/Peer Tutoring/others...

6) Summer
- UIBE - international cultural exchange program in beijing.
- Camp Rising Sun - international, leadership camp run by LAJF, a nonprofit organization. given a $10,000 scholarship chosen from thousands worldwide. one of the most amazing experiences of my life and will most likely write an essay on this since it has had such a huge impact on me.
- CTY
- HOBY: chosen as the only representative for my school, leadership program // selected to return as a part of Team Alumni (junior counselors) // stayed active in the organization ever since
- congressional academy for history & civics -- one out of two people to be chosen to represent NJ, scholarship program

6. Achievements/Awards
- modern marvels invention contest - honorable mention
- everyday edisons invention contest - semifinalist
- patent for invention/in talks with companies about marketing invention.
- my school's guidance award - for citizenship & having a strong impact on the community // overall exceptional academic achievement in all subjects.
- my school's math achievement award - highest average in all junior year math classes
- commended on PSATs
- NHS/National French Honors Society
- bronze Congressional Award


thanks for the advice everyone. i'd totally go get a job at a hotel now, but i'm afraid that'll come on as a little shallow and last-minute :/ so i'm not sure. i'm definitely interested though and would be really happy if i got in. i'm applying RD though

MomOfTwoTeens

When I read your outstanding list, I see tons of math & science ECs & scores. Is hotel something you just thought of? Are you thinking hotel as a way to get accepted to Cornell? If so, you're better off applying to the college in Cornell that speaks to your interests. Just my thoughts...

ayyyyyyy0

noo, i actually really don't want to get into math & science at all. i used to be into it i guess, and i just happen to naturally do well in those courses, but i'm definitely leaning more towards business/international relations. and out of all the schools, the hotel one definitely appeals to me the most. i didn't even knowe it existed to be honest before a few months ago, but after researching it and stuff, it's definitely at least my 2nd choice >.< ijust wish i knew about it sooner. but thank youuu