Undergraduate Application Requirements

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Explore the Undergraduate Requirements Needed for Your Admission to the Nolan School

At the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, our admissions procedures and requirements differ slightly by the type of student: first-years, transfers from other Cornell schools, transfers from colleges and universities outside Cornell, international students, and military veteran applicants. Be sure to read through the admissions requirements relevant to you and become familiar with the application process before you begin. If you have any questions along the way, we’re happy to provide you with more information. Learn more about the Nolan School’s admission requirements below.

Everything You Need to Know About Applying to the Nolan School

We invite hard-working, well-rounded, life-long learners who believe in self-improvement to apply to the Nolan School. On the global stage of business students, our Hotelies rise above the crowd. Hotelies are intellectually curious and enjoy challenging themselves. They’re energetic, collaborative, passionate; they get involved in the community, demonstrate entrepreneurship and leadership, and have an interest in business and the business of hospitality. Watch our recorded information session before you apply and find answers to your questions about our programs and the admissions process.

First-Year Applicants

We holistically evaluate your application to determine your readiness for a rigorous AACSB accredited business education as well as your alignment with our uniquely service-oriented program. Whether you’re interested in finance, real estate, food and beverage, sales and marketing, or data analytics, let us know in your application why you’re excited to experience it all.

Apply by: November 1 for early decision and January 2 for regular decision

First-Year Applicants

International Applicants

International Students bring valuable perspective and experience to our community. If you have a record of academic excellence and see yourself thriving in a challenging, hands-on, and innovative business environment, we welcome your application. Please check Cornell University’s policy regarding English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements to find out if you’re required to submit ELP test results.

Apply by: First-year or transfer application deadline as applicable

International Applicants

Military Veteran Applicants

Cornell is a strong supporter of our military students and proud partners with VetLink and the Warrior Scholar Project, and participants in the Yellow Ribbon Program. We look forward to reviewing your application and learning more about the contributions you could make to our program.

Apply by: First-year or transfer application deadline as applicable

Military Veteran Applicants

External Transfer Applicants

We welcome motivated, bright external transfer applicants who are intellectually curious, interested in the business of hospitality management, and who continuously challenge themselves. Successful transfer applicants come from all kinds of schools and programs, including 2-year institutions and both public and private colleges and universities from all over the country and the world.

Apply by: March 15 for fall semester

External Transfer Applicants

Internal Transfer Applicants

Rising second and third year current Cornell students (i.e. those who apply in their first or second year) who meet our eligibility requirements and are interested in transferring to the Nolan School from another one of Cornell’s colleges or schools are welcome to apply. It is recommended that students enroll in an HADM elective before applying.

Apply by: midnight EST at the end of the day on December 1st (for spring semester applicants) or midnight EST at the end of the day on May 1st (for fall semester applicants)

*Please refer to the Internal Transfer FAQs below for information and Q&A session registration

Internal Transfer Applicants

First-Year Applicant Admission Requirements

We welcome freshmen who are intellectually curious and challenge themselves. At the Nolan School, we value honest, collaborative, open-minded, and passionate applicants. We also seek students who get involved with their community, demonstrate entrepreneurship and leadership, and have an interest in hospitality—about half of our first-year students have relevant work experience. It is important for Nolan School applicants to express an understanding of what it means to work in the service industry, as the coursework at the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration teaches business through the lens of hospitality. We accept the Common App and expect to see a rigorous high school curriculum with outstanding academic achievement.

FAQs For First-Year Applicants

If you’re applying to the Nolan School as a first-year student, we’ve collected answers to common questions from first-year applicants below.

What courses should I have taken in high school before I apply to the Nolan School?

Secondary-School Subjects/Requirements:

16 units, including 4 of English, 4 of mathematics (including 1 of pre-calculus), 2 of science (including 1 of chemistry), and 3 of one foreign language (successful completion of level 3)

Secondary-School Subjects/Recommendations:

Calculus is strongly recommended, unless precalculus is completed in grade 12
Calculus is preferred to AP statistics
An additional unit of science

Special Requirements:

A resume submitted with your admissions application

Recommended additional preparation:

Rigorous high school curriculum and an outstanding record of academic achievement
Initiative, curiosity, teamwork, ingenuity
Hospitality or service-industry exposure
Applicants are encouraged to explore our virtual visit options
Interviews are not offered

How can I make my Nolan School application stand out?

Like all Cornell schools, we expect to see an outstanding record of achievement with a challenging high school curriculum. But we take a holistic view of your application, looking for extracurricular experiences and passions that show your dedication to pursuing a career in hospitality. You’ll be served well by demonstrating examples of your leadership experience, strong work ethic, and appreciation for the challenges of running a service business.

What standardized tests does the Nolan School review in the admissions process?

For students applying to enroll for fall 2025, the Nolan School will be score-free. Any self-reported scores will not be reviewed. Instead, we will proceed with a holistic review of every application—excluding the use of SAT/ACT test results—with an increased emphasis on evidence of academic preparation, creative exploration, and potential found in the other application materials. This will be true for both the Early Decision and Regular Decision rounds of review.

For students applying to enroll for fall 2026 or beyond, applicants to all Cornell undergraduate colleges and schools will be required to submit standardized test scores.

Please refer to the Cornell University Undergraduate Admissions Standardized Testing Policies page for more information.

Can I attend an information session?

The office of admissions hosts undergraduate information sessions for the SC Johnson College of Business. These sessions include an overview of each school — the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration and the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management — as well as admission requirements and advice regarding the application process and a short Q&A session with staff and current students. Additionally, we host specific Q&A-centered events which are driven by your questions and interests. We encourage you to register in advance and take time to consider what questions you have and what information you’re looking to find.

Will I receive credit for AP courses?

Your qualifying scores from AP, IB, GCE, or A-level courses can count as a maximum of 15 credits toward Nolan School degree requirements. These credits fulfill only free electives (including AP statistics), with a few exceptions:

AP microeconomics: A score of 5 fulfills HADM 1410 – Microeconomics for the Service Industry
IB economics: A score of 6 or 7 fulfills HADM 1410 and 3 free elective credits
AP English language (or literature) and composition: A score of 5 fulfills the First-Year Writing Seminar

Is there a Nolan School application fee waiver?

Cornell University is committed to equity and access for all students. If the $80 application fee causes financial hardship for your family, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. Please follow the Common App instructions to apply for a fee waiver.

To apply for a fee waiver, you need to submit one of the following documents:

The Common App Fee Waiver Request: To be completed by your guidance counselor/college advisor as part of the school forms process (more information and online submission available at Commonapp.org)
The College Board Request for Waiver of College Application Fee Form (from your guidance counselor/college advisor if you used SAT fee waivers) or the ACT Fee Waiver Form (from your guidance counselor/college advisor if you used ACT fee waivers)
The NACAC Application for Fee Waiver Form: To be completed by your guidance counselor/college advisor
A letter from your guidance counselor/college advisor, or a representative from a social service or community agency, stating that the fee would cause financial hardship

If you cannot apply for a fee waiver by one of these methods, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office at 607.255.5241.

Mail fee waiver documentation to:

Undergraduate Admissions Office

Cornell University

410 Thurston Avenue

Ithaca, NY 14850

External Transfer Applicant Admission Requirements

We consider first year and sophomore applicants for transfer admission. You must have earned at least 12 credits from another accredited college or university at which you were previously or are currently enrolled.

Note: You may only apply as a transfer student as a first-year, sophomore, or rising junior at your current school; if you’re currently a junior or senior, you are not eligible to apply.

FAQs for External Transfer Applicants

To assist you in your journey to transfer to the Nolan School, we’ve collected some of the top questions about transfer requirements.

What qualifies me as a transfer applicant rather than a first-year applicant?

You can apply as a transfer student if you’ve graduated from high school and have earned 12 or more credits from another accredited institution or if you are enrolled as a full-time student at another college or university.

If you are coming directly from high school (or after a gap year), you’d be considered a first-year student.

Note: You may only apply as a transfer student as a first-year, sophomore, or rising junior at your current school; if you’re currently a junior or senior, you are not eligible to apply.

You must also meet the following requirements:

3 units of foreign language (from high school or college)
1 unit of chemistry (from high school or college)
1 unit of precalculus (from high school or college)
1 college-level microeconomics course
A college-level writing course which meets the requirements established by the Knight Institute

Note: Our program includes rigorous quantitative analysis coursework. If your precalculus credit is from high school and you have not since taken math at a higher level, we strongly encourage you to enroll in a higher-level math (college calculus, college algebra, etc.) prior to your enrollment in the Nolan School.

Does the Nolan School accept AP and IB credits toward degree requirements?

Advanced Placement

The primary purpose of advanced placement (AP) credit is to exempt students from introductory courses and to place them in advanced courses. Students who receive AP credit may not subsequently enroll in a similar course as outlined in the Courses of Study for credit at Cornell unless the AP credit is retracted. Nolan School students are limited to a total of 15 test (AP, IB, GCE, A-level) credits toward a Nolan School degree requirements.

International Baccalaureate Credentials: GCE/A-level and International Baccalaureate (IB) consideration of credit awards for General Certificate of Education “A” level examinations and International Baccalaureate higher level (HL) examinations are summarized in the University Courses of Study.

With qualifying scores, Nolan School students may be awarded AP or IB credit only in free electives, with the following exceptions:

AP microeconomics—a score of 5 will fulfill HADM 1410
IB economics—a score of 7 will fulfill HADM 1410 and 3 free elective credits
AP English language and comp or AP English literature and comp—a score of 5 will fulfill the First-Year Writing Seminar
IB English literature HL—a score of 7 will fulfill the First-Year Writing Seminar
AP statistics—the Nolan School will not accept advanced credit for statistics

Can I transfer credit from my bachelor’s degree toward the Nolan School undergraduate degree?

No, we don’t admit transfer students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree. If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in any field (including hospitality management) and would like to study at the Nolan School, please consider applying to our Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) program.

What is considered in an application to externally transfer to Nolan?

The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business has no preferences regarding the institution from which a student transfers. Annually, about a quarter of our transfer students come from community colleges.

As applications are reviewed, the most important factors considered include:

Ability to articulate your interests in the Nolan School and why you feel you must depart your current institution to pursue these interests via the application essay (part of the Writing supplement)
Academic credentials from applicant’s current institution
Recommendations from applicant’s college/university professor(s)
Involvement in extracurricular activities
Academic credentials from high school

In the final analysis, college coursework and application essay(s) are the most important factor in the transfer admission decision. Admitted students generally have achieved at least a 3.3 university/college GPA. Please keep in mind that transfer admission is selective and highly competitive.

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International Applicant Admission Requirements

We welcome international students from outside the US. International students follow the same application process as our first-year or transfer students. Cornell considers applicants’ and their families’ ability to pay for education but expects applicants to apply for financial aid when applying for admission. You must complete our application materials without paid agents or credentialing services. If you are not a native English speaker, you must demonstrate proficiency in the English language with acceptable English language proficiency test scores. Peruse our frequently asked questions for more international applicant specifics.

FAQs for International Student Applicants

Cornell accepts academic credentials from institutions outside the US. Please familiarize yourself with our various international application requirements, including English language proficiency for non-native English speakers.

How will the Nolan School evaluate my international academic credentials?

Cornell has standard policies for the General Certificate of Education “A” level examinations (biology, chemistry, economics, English literature, further mathematics, mathematics, philosophy, and physics) and International Baccalaureate higher level examinations (anthropology, biology, chemical and physical systems, chemistry, computer science, economics, English literature, mathematics, physical science, or physics).

In addition, you can submit your results for the French Baccalaureate or German Abitur for possible credit, depending on the subject or specialization. If you hold other secondary-school credentials and have been admitted to Cornell, we encourage you to sit for the advanced placement examinations (College Entrance Examination Board) or for the departmental examinations given during Orientation Week.

Please contact the Cornell registrar for specific questions on any credentials.

Do I have to take an English language proficiency examination?

International Nolan School applicants must have a strong command of the English language, as all of our courses are taught in English. If any of the following conditions apply to you, you may not be required to submit test scores to demonstrate English language proficiency:

Your native language is English
You have attended high school in a country where English is an official language for the four years immediately before your expected enrollment at Cornell
You have a minimum score of 35 out of 40 on the SAT reading test or a minimum score of 30 on both the ACT reading and English sections

If none of these conditions apply to you, you most likely will be required to submit scores for an accepted English language proficiency examination.

What are your score requirements for English language proficiency tests?

If your native language is not English, you did not receive an acceptable minimum score on the SAT or ACT test, or you have not attended high school in a country that has English as an official language for four years prior to enrollment at Cornell, you will have to achieve certain test scores for English language proficiency. We consider many examinations and qualifications to meet the English language proficiency requirement. Some representative tests and passing scores include:

TOEFL iBT (100)
iTEP (5.5)
IELTS Academic (7.5)
Duolingo English test (120)
PTE Academic (70)
Cambridge English Scale C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (191)
Initial View assessment
Vericant assessment

What services do you offer to help international students succeed at Cornell?

International students will find invaluable services, information, and resources at Cornell’s Office of Global Learning—from obtaining a visa, OPT and CPT, and getting to know other students, to registering for courses, shopping for groceries, and finding a job. The Office of Global Learning also offers virtual advisement via Zoom or phone (in-person advisement has been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic). Contact the office for more information: international@cornell.edu.

Military Veteran Applicant Admission Requirements

At the Nolan School, we welcome former and current service member applicants, who enrich our Hotelie community with their motivation, innovation, discipline, and experience. Veteran education benefits are available to eligible full- and part-time Cornell Nolan students who are veterans, on active duty, or reserve personnel (and, in some cases, their eligible dependents). If you haven’t yet attended college or have earned fewer than 12 credits at another school, you may apply as a first-year student. Otherwise, you can apply as a transfer student.

Connect with our Student Veterans Community

FAQs for Military Veteran Student Applicants

How does the Nolan School value my military experience and training during the admissions process?

We consider many factors in our holistic admission review process. Military training and experience are included among those factors, as they can demonstrate your leadership, discipline, and decision-making qualities, among others. In addition, appropriate academic preparation in high school or college, and the ability to articulate your intellectual interests in your application essay, will help make you a strong candidate.

Internal Transfer Applicants

As you consider which college or school is the best fit for you at Cornell and explore the possibility of Internal Transfer, please visit Cornell’s Internal Transfer website.

Cornell first- or second-year degree-seeking students currently enrolled outside the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business may apply for internal transfer admission to the Nolan School.

Before applying to the Nolan School, students should meet with their current college advisor to discuss their intended plans and to map out an alternative plan should they not be admitted to Nolan. While other colleges may require a meeting with an advisor in your internal transfer target college, this is not required nor offered for internal transfer to the Nolan School.

Application Process and Timeline

Nolan enrolls transfer students in both the fall and spring semesters. The application for fall transfer will be available in early March. The fall deadline to apply is May 1, 11:59 pm ET. Applicants can expect to receive their admissions decision by late June. The application for spring transfer will be available in early October and the deadline to apply is December 1, at 11:59pm ET. Applicants can expect to receive their admission decision in early January.

What We Look For

Internal Transfer applicants should have a very strong academic record in their current program and complete all the course requirements listed below. In addition to coursework, your internal application to Nolan will be evaluated on qualitative factors such as work experience, volunteer activities, leadership positions, internships, and your ability to explain in detail why the transfer to Nolan is a good fit for you.

Eligibility Information

Current Cornell first- or second-year (i.e. rising second- and third-year) degree-seeking students currently enrolled outside the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business are eligible to apply for internal transfer.
Preference is given to current first-year applicants.
Current third-year (junior) and fourth-year (senior) students are not eligible for internal transfer.
Students who are not eligible for internal transfer: Current third year and fourth year students; students who transferred to Cornell from another university or college; Cornell students who have already internally transferred

Dyson School students are discouraged from applying to Nolan and will likely not be admitted. Dyson and Nolan share academic options, resources, and outcomes within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, making internal transfer between the schools nonessential.

Admission Eligibility Requirements

Minimum Cornell GPA of 3.0
Completion of ECON 1110 or an equivalent microeconomics course
Few, if any S/U graded courses

Current curriculum requirements are subject to change and internal transfers will be held to the major requirements for the year in which they matriculate to Nolan.

Course Recommendations

Your internal transfer application is strengthened if you take at least one quantitative course each semester. We also recommend taking at least one HADM course prior to applying. These courses can be found on the equivalent course list below.

Course Description
Organizational Behavior & Leadership Skills	ILROB 1220 AEM 3245
Financial Accounting	AEM 2210	HADM 2230

Business Computing		HADM 2740
Hospitality Quantitative Analysis	AEM 2100 ILRST 2100 PUBPOL 2100 STSCI 2100 MATH 1710
Managerial Accounting	AEM 3230*
Human Resources Management	ILRHR 2600
Finance	AEM 2240 or 2241*	HADM 2250
Marketing Management for Services	AEM 2400	HADM 2410

*Priority given to Dyson and CALS students

Essay Guidance

The essay has a maximum word count of 650. Please consider elaborating on any or all of the questions below that help you explain why you are applying to internally transfer to the Nolan School:

How your interest in the Nolan School or the SC Johnson College of Business has developed, and how you have explored it;
How the Nolan School provides you with the tools and instruction you desire to pursue at Cornell, compared to other options you have considered;
Describe your professional goals/interests and why you feel Nolan will help you to attain these goals, compared to other academic paths.
Describe communities and formative activities that you engage in at Cornell (work/volunteer experiences, clubs, research) and how they have shaped you;
Share any additional information the Nolan School should know about you (e.g. personal/family situations, independent study, summer plans) that further clarify your interest.

Is there anything else your target college should know about you (e.g. personal/family situations, independent study…) that further clarifies your interest?

Further Information and Assistance

If you have questions, please register to attend our information sessions and/or office hours. Walk-ins and special appointments are not available for internal transfer applicants.

Dates for information sessions and office hours will be posted on this page during the fall semester by the end of August and during the spring semester by the end of January.

There is no requirement to attend an information session or office hours. Further, attendance is not an evaluative part of the application process.

Our office does not review resumes or application materials prior to their official submission as part of your internal transfer application.

Internal Transfer Information Sessions:

Thursday, February 13, 2025, 5-6PM ET, Zoom link: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/cegGKtsKTuOxmeyLIWLMfg

Internal Transfer Office Hours:

Tuesday, March 25, 2025; 5-6pm ET; Zoom link: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/hg3MCma5QNmjCqWU5WyVFw
Thursday, April 24, 2025; 5-6PM ET; Zoom link: https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/7GD6bXylQbmI4SZNZhW32g

Contact

If you have questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at sha_admissions@cornell.edu

Ready to Start Your Application?

Our How to Apply page featuring relevant deadlines, a list of required application materials, and other useful tips for the admissions process. Get to know our admissions team and access our application checklist and acceptance criteria for maximizing the success of you as an applicant.

HOW TO APPLY

Contact Us

Have a question about our application process and requirements? Want to know more about admissions at the Nolan School? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our admissions team for more information.

Office of Admissions

248 Sage Hall

Phone: 607.254.4228

Email: sha_admissions@cornell.edu

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First-Year Applicants

International Applicants

Military Veteran Applicants

External Transfer Applicants

Internal Transfer Applicants

First-Year Applicant Admission Requirements

High School Course Requirements

Make Your Nolan School Application Stand Out

Nolan School Standardized Test Application Requirements

Can I attend an information session?

AP Course Credits

Admissions Interviews

Application Fee Waiver

External Transfer Applicant Admission Requirements

The Difference Between Transfer and First-Year Applicants

What Courses Do I Need to Apply to Nolan?

Applying to Transfer as a Junior or Senior

Transferring Credits into the Nolan School

Advanced Placement (AP) & International Baccalaureate (IB) Transfer Credits

Transferring Bachelor’s Degree Credits to the Nolan School

Transfer Application Deadline

Standing Out as a Transfer Applicant

Admissions Decisions

International Applicant Admission Requirements

International Credential Evaluation

English Language Proficiency Exams

English Language Proficiency Test Scores

International Student Services

Application Language Requirements

Military Veteran Applicant Admission Requirements

Military Training Credits

Military Experience

Internal Transfer Applicants

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