Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants for the MS and PhD programs in hotel administration are required to submit a GMAT or GRE score. GMAT and GRE scores are valid for up to five years. *

*The Master of Science program is test optional for the GMAT/GRE for the fall 2022 admission cycle. When considering whether or not to submit the GMAT/GRE, please consider the following:

• • Compelling applicants to the MS program will demonstrate a strength in quantitative skills
  • 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 to the admissions committee
  • 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.

International students are also required to take the TOEFL  or IELTS exam. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for up to two years. 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.

MS and PhD students are admitted only for the fall semester. Applications should be completed by December 15 for the subsequent fall term. We will contact competitive applicants via email to complete an admissions interview.

MS students can find financial-aid opportunities by contacting the Fellowships and Financial Aid Office through Cornell’s Graduate School. Fellowships covering the cost of tuition and a taxable stipend may be awarded to PhD students on a case-by-case basis.

Cornell University’s International Services Office of Global Learning can assist international students with a variety of services from immigration issues to campus life.

Since the MS and PhD degrees are research-based, the Center for Hospitality Research is the best resource to learn more about the research interests of our graduate faculty.  If you have any additional questions, please email mmh@sha.cornell.edu  for more information.

Admission is extremely selective and is based on both the strength of the applicant and the availability of faculty to advise new graduate students. Typically no more than two to three MS and PhD students are admitted in a particular year, and it is fairly common for SHA not to admit any students in a particular admission cycle.

A competitive PhD applicant typically has an exceptional academic record, including research experience, a competitive GRE or GMAT (score above 700 for GMAT), relevant hospitality and teaching experience, a well-articulated statement of purpose, and a record of published hospitality papers or articles in relevant journals or trade publications.

A number of resources are available to support our PhD students. Visit the links below.

• Use of PhD Research Accounts
• Accessing PhD Research Accounts
• Graduate School Forms
• Code of Legislation of the Graduate Faculty
• Center for Teaching Excellence 
• Information for Teaching Assistants
• Teaching Materials
• International Teaching Assistant Development Program
• International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO)
• Orientation Schedule
• Cornell Career Services
• Cornell Interfolio Credentials Service
• eCommons—Digital Publishing of your Dissertation
• Health Leaves of Absence
• Gannett Health Services
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
• Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)