Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) Application Guide

Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe, within 500 words: (1) your academic interests, (2) your academic background, preparation, and training, including any relevant professional experiences, (3) your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this specific program, and (4) your professional goals.

Please describe (within 300-500 words) how your background and experiences influenced your decision and ability to pursue a graduate degree. Additionally, provide insights into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where scholars representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and work productively and positively together.

Successful applicants will have received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Please submit transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. You may submit unofficial transcripts with your application; however, should you be admitted into the MMH program, we will request an official copy for verification.

Transcripts should indicate:

• All courses you have taken
• Grades received in each course
• Degree and the date it was conferred

You will be required to upload transcripts as part of your application. Be sure to redact, cross out, or cover your Social Security Number if it is displayed on your transcript.

• For students with non-U.S. credentials: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent international degree is required. Candidates who have earned or are on track to earn a degree that does not match the information found on the equivalency list in title or duration should strongly consider providing a credential evaluation with their application. World Education Services (WES) a third-party verification agency, can provide this service.
  • Submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. If your transcript is not in English, please submit an official and certified English translation in addition to an original copy. World Education Services (WES), can provide this service. Transcripts should indicate all courses you have taken, grades received in each course, degree name, and date the degree was conferred. Candidates who are admitted and enrolled are required to provide the corresponding official transcripts before matriculation.

A GMAT or GRE test score is a required component of the MMH program application.  The GMAT or GRE is one way to demonstrate quantitative competency and English language proficiency to the admissions committee in our holistic review process.

There is no minimum score requirement to apply to the MMH program. If you completed the GMAT or GRE more than once, we will use the exam with the highest total score.

The MMH program will accept the GRE General Test at Home, the GMAT Online Exam, and the GMAT Focus for the fall 2024 cycle.

GMAT or GRE scores are valid for five years.  The MMH program requires that scores be valid on the deadline of the application round in which you apply.

Submitting a Score

GMAT scores should be sent electronically using www.mba.com. Use code 5811 when filling out the GMAT registration.

GRE scores should be delivered by ETS (www.ets.org). All official test scores should be reported directly to Cornell University’s institution code 2098. Department codes are not needed for matching scores to applications. If ETS requires you to select a department code, you may choose “0000 undecided.”

You may submit an unofficial score report for your application review; however, if you are accepted and intend to enroll, your official score report must be received by your enrollment deposit deadline.  It is an applicant’s responsibility to contact the testing service directly and authorize the release of the official score report.  Offers of admission are not binding until we verify your official academic records and test scores.

Waiver Request

Candidates who demonstrate analytical and quantitative abilities through academics or work experience may request a waiver from the GMAT or GRE test requirement. The waiver request option is in the application.

• An academic waiver request must refer to specific completed courses on the submitted college transcript (e.g. microeconomics, finance, accounting, calculus, and statistics with regression).
• Work experience waiver requests must include a description of the nature of work, and one of the two required letters of recommendation must come from a current supervisor who specifically addresses the quantitative/analytical nature of your work.
• Waiver requests based on other personal circumstances are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

If you plan to request a waiver, we encourage you to submit your application in advance of the application deadline.  You can expect a response to your waiver request within 7 business days via email. If your test waiver is not approved, your application will remain incomplete until a test score is submitted.

Applicants granted a waiver will not be disadvantaged in the application review process.

Two letters of recommendation are required. At least one should be from a current or recent supervisor who can attest to your work-related skills. The second may be from either an academic or professional source.

You will be required to enter the email or street address of your recommenders as you complete this portion of your application. Select the “online” option for your recommenders to receive an emailed invitation to submit their letters. It is your responsibility to ensure that all recommendations are submitted online by the deadline for the round in which you are applying.

While not required, hospitality-related work experience is strongly preferred. Successful MMH candidates have a demonstrated commitment to hospitality. These experiences should be described in your resume. Relevant work experience prior to enrolling will have a direct impact on job placement opportunities.

A nonrefundable application fee of $105 must be submitted with your online application.

An application fee waiver may be requested* if you meet the following criteria:

• You submit your complete application prior to the round one deadline
• You are a current or former United States military member
• You are a current Cornell student or a recent Cornell alum and have graduated within two years of your application date

Payment must be made with either an e-check in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank, or a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card.

*In order to have your application fee waived, please email us when your application is complete and ready to submit. Please include: 1) Your name; 2) What above eligibility requirement you meet. We will respond with an email that includes a unique fee waiver code that has been assigned to your application.

After you submit your application, you will be sent an email invitation to complete a video interview, where you will be asked to give short verbal responses to pre-recorded questions. Note, an invitation to the video interview will be sent automatically after submitting your application. Please monitor your inbox carefully as your application will not be considered complete until the video interview is submitted. The video interview is designed to assess your fit for the program and your communication skills. We advise that you use the most up-to-date version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to complete the video interview.

All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo English Test scores. Test scores must be sent directly by the testing center. International students may also be required to pass a writing benchmark. All MMH classes are delivered in English and require participation in class discussions, involvement in group projects, and intensive writing and reading. Successful candidates will have a full command of both spoken and written English.

The Master of Management in Hospitality program does not accept My Best Score reports for the TOEFL examination and requires applicants to meet the minimum sub-scores in speaking, reading, listening and writing set by the Cornell Graduate School

TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English tests must have been taken within two years of the application deadline. Duolingo English test scores should be sent to Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

In some cases, these testing requirements can be waived. For more information on TOEFL and IELTS test score minimums, how to submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores, and the criteria for waiving the requirement, please visit the Graduate School’s website.

IELTS and TOEFL Arrangements for COVID-19

If a safe in-person option is not available for you, you may submit results from one of the following at-home options.

• IELTS Online
• IELTS Indicator
• TOEFL iBT® Home Edition

Financial responsibility form (after admission)

International students admitted to the MMH program will be required to complete a financial responsibility form (FRF). The FRF certifies you can cover the cost of the MMH for the full duration of the program.

Submission of the FRF is required before a Form I-20 (needed to obtain a visa to study in the United States) can be released. More information is available from Cornell’s Office of Global Learning.