Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH)
Application Requirements

MMH applicants must submit all application components by the application deadline for each round. Deadlines are listed on the MMH admissions page. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

You will apply to the MMH program through the Cornell Graduate School application and indicate Hospitality Management as your field of study. Your materials and candidacy will be reviewed by the admissions team at the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

Admitted students will be provided with access to the online MBA Math course, to be completed before enrollment in August.

MMH application checklist

Use the checklist below as you complete your application. Click each item for more information.

• Academic statement of purpose
• Academic transcripts
• GMAT or GRE scores*
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Application fee
• Video essay (after submission)

Additional items for international applicants

• English language proficiency requirement
• Financial responsibility form (if admitted)

Application components and details

Academic statement of purpose

Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe, within 1000 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.

Academic transcripts

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 applicants with international credentials

For students with non-U.S. credentials, an international equivalent to a bachelor’s degree is required. Please refer to the Graduate School’s website for a list of international degree equivalencies. 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 is an example of a preferred provider. All transcripts must be official documents issued by the college or university and provided in their original language. 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), a third-party verification agency, can provide this service.

If your transcripts are not issued by the college or university as original documents, they should be notarized, full-size photocopies.

Transcripts should include grades received in each subject each year and the number of weeks and hours per week each subject was studied. Courses must be described in detail. The general subject name (for example, “mathematics”) is not sufficient; the particular subject (“differential equations” or “algebraic topology”) must be identified.

GMAT or GRE scores*

GMAT or GRE test scores are a required component of the MMH program application. Much of the program’s coursework requires advanced quantitative skills. While there is no minimum GMAT or GRE score requirement, admitted candidates typically have competitive scores that demonstrate their ability to succeed in a graduate-level business program.

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

*The MMH program is test optional for the GMAT/GRE for the fall 2023 admission cycle. When considering whether or not to submit the GMAT/GRE, please consider the following:

• Compelling applicants to the program will demonstrate strong quantitative skills and English language proficiency.
• Our admissions committee uses a holistic approach to review applications, and will seek evidence of quantitative exposure through your resume, academic transcript, essay, and letters of recommendation. The GMAT/GRE is one way to demonstrate quantitative competency and English language proficiency to the admissions committee. Unless your transcript clearly demonstrates quantitative ability, you should strongly consider taking the GMAT or GRE. Examples of quantitative classes include microeconomics, finance, accounting, calculus, and statistics with regression.
• If your secondary school transcript includes examples of quantitative coursework you are welcome to include that in your application as well.
• All applications will be considered “complete” without GMAT/GRE test scores. If you plan to submit test scores, please schedule them to be sent to us well in advance of the application deadline so they can be reviewed with your application.

GMAT code

Use code 5811 when filling out the GMAT registration.

GRE codes

Use institutional code 2098 and Department & Major Field Code 4208-Hospitality Administration/Management when filling out the GRE registration.

GMAT/GRE waivers for Cornell graduates

If you have graduated from Cornell University in the last two years with a GPA of 3.3 or greater, please submit your transcript and request a waiver by emailing mmh@sha.cornell.edu.

Two letters of recommendation

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.

Resume

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.

Application fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $105 must be submitted with your online application. If you submit your complete application prior to the round one deadline, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. See the MMH admissions page for more information.

The application fee will be waived for all current or former United States military members and for all Cornell students and recent alumni (graduates within two years of 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.

Video essay

After you submit your MMH application, you will be invited to complete your online video essay—detailed information will be sent to you through email. The video essay serves as a pre-recorded interview, rather than a live meeting or video chat with the admissions team. You’ll be asked to respond to additional questions and record your answers in a video format. The video essay is part of a holistic assessment that will be considered alongside your completed online application. We advise that you use the most up-to-date version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to complete the video essay.

Additional application details for international applicants

English language proficiency requirement (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test)

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 a minimum cumulative TOEFL score of 100 in addition to minimum sub-scores in speaking, reading, listening, and writing. Even if your TOEFL score exceeds the minimum requirement, you may still be encouraged to enroll in an intensive English course, preferably in the United States, before you begin the program. If you have taken the IELTS Academic exam, the MMH program requires an overall band score of 7.0 or higher. If you have taken the Duolingo English Test, the MMH program requires a minimum score of 130.

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

COVID-19 has disrupted the ability of applicants in countries worldwide to take in-person English language proficiency exams.

We will temporarily accept at home test results for 2023 admission until regular testing resumes. Here are some additional options:

• IELTS Indicator allows test takers to take the IELTS Academic exam online from the comfort and safety of their home. The test is available for a limited time in countries where IELTS testing has been suspended due to COVID-19.
• TOEFL iBT^®  Special Home Edition is being offered temporarily to meet the needs of students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT^® at a test center due to public health concerns. The test is identical in content and format to the regular exam and is available everywhere that the TOEFL iBT test is normally available, with the exception of China and Iran.
• TOEFL ITP® Plus for China is no longer available, however, we will continue to accept valid scores. All scores are valid for 2 years after the test date. 

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.