Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH)
Admissions Process Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

MBA programs typically focus on general management and broad business principles such as finance, marketing, economics, strategy, leadership, etc., which can be applied to various industries. The MMH program, by contrast, is deeply connected to the hospitality industry and teaches each business principle in that context.

MMH class discussions, projects, case studies, and industry immersions are intended to guide you in developing the skills you’ll need to lead the hospitality industry (and all its components) into the future. Although it’s not an MBA, the MMH degree is an AACSB-accredited business program rooted in the Nolan School’s industry networks and expertise. The MMH program would be less suitable for you if you’re interested in general business or management in an industry other than hospitality.

MMH graduates enter, or continue working in, hospitality areas such as resorts and hotels (corporate and property), casinos, food and beverage management, restaurants, and real estate development. Common job functions range from consulting and finance to project management and operations/logistics. Graduates usually enter into leadership, management, or ownership roles that influence both company culture and the bottom line. The MMH program will prepare you for careers that focus on advancing the business of hospitality companies, organizations, and enterprises.

The MMH is a three-semester program (fall, spring, fall) with a summer internship requirement. This accelerated schedule is designed to fast-track your hospitality career and enter into management and leadership roles as soon as possible.

In the MMH program, you’ll learn how to apply business principles—like finance, accounting, strategy, and marketing—directly to the hospitality industry. You will develop your leadership presence and make connections with industry executives, many of whom are Nolan School alumni. The MMH program emphasizes ethical and strategic decision making and the importance of clear, direct communication. By the time you graduate, you’ll have had exposure to all types of job functions as they relate to hospitality careers in technology and data, operations, management, marketing, real estate, investment banking, and more.

No, the MMH is an intensive residential program intended to facilitate interaction among students, faculty, and industry leaders. There is not an online option or a substitute for the hands-on experiences you’ll gain through the MMH program.

Those looking for an online option should explore our Executive Master of Management in Hospitality (EMMH) program.

Yes. You may take elective courses in other schools at Cornell and within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. The curriculum allows for up to 24 elective credits to round out your specialization.

A summer internship is a requirement of the MMH program. Externships, which are short-term job shadowing opportunities typically conducted during winter break, are optional. In both cases, our career management team can help you find a good fit as you work toward defining your career goals.

Students in the MMH program must complete all degree requirements (48 credits of approved coursework) through Cornell University. You may petition to waive up to 12 credits of core courses if you have: 1) completed equivalent graduate-level coursework at an accredited business school with a grade of B or better; or 2) completed an equivalent undergraduate course at an accredited business school with a grade of B or better and pass an MMH exemption exam for the core course.

Should a core course waiver be granted, you are expected to take an alternate course for equivalent credit in the same academic discipline within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, or you can petition to take an alternate course outside the discipline.

We do not recommend off-campus work as you complete the program. The MMH is an intensive academic program and will often require your participation in on-site visits and industry immersions, sometimes internationally. Our most successful students give the MMH program their full attention.

Graduate students usually live in university or off-campus housing within walking distance or on the TCAT bus route. You can learn more about Cornell and Ithaca housing options for graduate students on the Graduate School website.

Absolutely. The MMH program is composed of a cohort of around 50 students. Given this smaller class size, students and faculty develop professional relationships outside of the classroom. The Nolan School faculty act as project guides, career coaches, research collaborators, and mentors, and they typically follow the careers of former MMH students well beyond graduation, keeping an open door for advice. Their expertise is unmatched—they have the backgrounds and experiences to teach at the intersection of business and hospitality and are often sought after as industry experts.

Your MMH cohort will be culturally and professionally diverse and you’ll get to know them well. You’ll benefit not only from the relationships that develop among this tight-knit group, but also from the broad, endless opportunities that Cornell University offers. As an MMH student, you’ll be part of the Cornell Graduate School, the Nolan School of Hotel Administration, and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. Each offers a valuable network and community of colleagues and alumni. You can join and lead student clubs and partner with MBA students and undergraduates in entrepreneurial pursuits, hackathons, case competitions, and more.

No, your undergraduate degree can be in any field as long as you excelled in your studies. Your MMH cohort will be professionally diverse, allowing you to hear different perspectives and think of new ways to connect business principles in the hospitality industry.

No, there is not minimum undergraduate or graduate-level GPA required for admissions to the MMH program; however, we expect applicants to demonstrate their potential to excel in a rigorous academic environment. The average undergraduate GPA for admitted MMH students is typically around 3.3.

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 and the GMAT Online Exam 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 apply in advance of the application deadline.  If your test waiver is not approved, your application will remain incomplete until a test score is submitted. We try to respond to waiver requests within 7 business days via email.

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

We look for candidates with strong leadership skills and managerial potential. MMH students have typically had some work experience, but it is not required. Experience adds value to one’s contributions in class, provides a stronger context for learning, and most importantly, puts you in a better position toward achieving your post-MMH career goals.

No, the MMH application must be completed in full and all required components must be included. We do not make exemptions based on work or academic experience.

However, if you graduated from a Cornell University undergraduate program in the last two years with a GPA of 3.3 or greater, you can submit your transcript and request a GMAT waiver by emailing mmh@sha.cornell.edu.

Your application for admission to the MMH program will be evaluated in several ways, and all components will factor into your candidacy. Successful applicants to the MMH program exhibit, and can communicate with examples, the following qualities:

• A passion for a career in hospitality
• Leadership and entrepreneurship
• Professionalism and maturity
• An outstanding record of academic achievement

The deadlines for the next MMH class can be found on our admissions page. Note that you must complete your application and video essay before the application deadline listed in order to receive an admission decision.

Yes, Cornell University’s International Services Office of Global Learning can assist international students with visa applications.

You can pay for your master’s in hospitality management degree using student loans, veterans education benefits, fellowships, and more. The MMH program offers need-based scholarships to qualified candidates. You can read more about tuition and financing here.

Deferrals are rarely granted. In most cases, requests to defer enrollment result in an invitation for a candidate to reapply.

• If you are not an applicant but thinking about applying: Postpone applying to the program until the application year you intend to enroll.
• If you are a current applicant: Withdraw your application from consideration and apply again in the application year you intend to enroll.
• If you have been admitted: Please email mmh@sha.cornell.edu with your request. Please include an explanation of why you are requesting a deferral. Deferrals are rarely granted. In most cases, requests to defer enrollment result in an invitation for a candidate to reapply.

While your request is being considered, do not submit the nonrefundable enrollment deposit. If your deferral request is denied, your deposit will not be refunded to you.

We do not publish admit rates for our master’s program as this figure changes from year to year and is not indicative of an individual’s competitiveness for our program.