I’ve read somewhere that they like to see some sort of dedication/interest in the service industry. Will you be able to explain this? Having real life work experience as a server or in a hotel can be helpful. If not then other types of customer facing skills might suffice.
Based on your list of ECs above, it is not really clear to me how you will convey this to admission?
Hey! Thank you so much for getting back to me. From the info I’ve gathered by talking to some current students and my guidance counselor, they’ve said hospitality is essentially service so food pantry experience & working as customer service should count as “experience” in the field. However, I’m not 100% sure of it which is what worries me. I tried contacting many hotels before but none in my area (NYC) were available for job shadowing or anything like that. However, I was happy to find that Cornell actually offers a class regarding non profit food pantrys (Nonprofit Social Enterprise and Food Justice). Do you think it would be helpful to link my experience to my passions for hospitality and potentially my desire to learn more about the business aspect through taking this class? Through debate club, I think that can show my leadership? I am also getting a letter of rec from the coach that I am pretty close with.
Cornell HSA really, really, really likes to see evidence that you know the service industry. Look for a paying job as a server, in a country club, caddying, making beds and doing laundry at bed and breakfast, working at McDonalds, being a line cook at a Waffle House.
Hospitality is unique industry. Like medicine, you will love it or hate it (sometimes both at the same time): you should know that before you go in. Cornell wants to see evidence you will stick with it before they admit you. And not just volunteering or shadowing.
In addition, Cornell requires you to have experience hours to graduate. Yes, like making beds at the Stadler.
They want students who can work and will work and have a humble spirit. Currently, your application does not stand out in any way for Hotel School: you could be a cookie cutter applicant to any liberal arts program.
Are you sure you really want Hotel school? You need roll up your sleeves and get a paying, non-glamorous job before applying.
The link between debate, research, customer service experience and how it all links to hospitality is still a little tenuous for me. Just try to make this crystal clear when you apply.
As far as experience goes, if you live near NYC there are hundreds, probably thousands of restaurants that will take you. Goto craigslist food/beverage job forum and search for dishwasher or busboy. Work there for a few months and this will make your application a lot stronger.