<p>Hello everyone!
Here's the deal... I have been home schooled since the 7th grade (I live in a not so good area of LA). Since I was 13 I have worked in the restaurant industry, as well as having grown up in the industry, due to my father owning restaurants. I am currently waiting to hear back from Cornell regarding the School of Hotel Administration. I have a 3.6 overall GPA, haven't received my SAT scores yet (I took them late). My interview is in NY at the end of February. So, my question, plain and simple is, does anyone know whether or not I stand a chance. Any help or suggestions would be extremely appreciated.</p>
<p>You really haven't given much information so it's hard to make an evaluation. Most people give info on: GPA, rigorousness of course work, SAT1/2s, ECs/volunteer work, and estimated strength of recs./essays. That being said:</p>
<p>Homeschooling has pros and cons. A disproportionate number of the homeschooled kids I met were lacking in social skills, which would seem important for the hospitality industry. If you're not one of those kids, then homeschooling will make you a unique member of any college community by contributing to diversity.</p>
<p>Your experience in a restaurant is probably a good thing. You should be prepared to discuss that in your interview. Visit campus if possible if you're not interviewing there.</p>
<p>3.6 is a perfectly fine GPA (higher than mine for getting into CAS; I had high test scores).</p>
<p>The verdict: yes you stand a chance; you have some potential advantages many applicants could never have (discussed above). Depending on your ECs, and test scores especially because of the home schooling, I say you're in the running.</p>
<p>Forgive my lack of "yay, woohoo, go you, you'll sooo get in!" I don't want to get your hopes up when a.) I know very little about you, and b.) you're applying to a top school that is difficult for any student to get into, period.</p>
<p>Yeah, you probably stand a good chance because you have experience working in a restaurant.
Anyway, anyone know when Cornell starts sending admissions decisions to prospective Hotelies? My application has been complete since early January.</p>
<p>Honestly, I've seen a lot of people wonder their chances at the Hotel School with very, very high stats but no experience. These people are (generally) rejected. I think your experience in the industry since the age of 13 is admirable; I think it shows a lot of responsibility and dedication to the industry. A 3.6 GPA is fine, but I can't predict too much more without your SATs. The Hotel School does not place a large emphasis on SATs, but they are factored into the overall decision process. Experience, however, for the Hotel School is a must. </p>
<p>At this point in time, I can confidently say you stand a good chance. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>I'm not really sure how they figure your stats out if you're home schooled, but any experience in the industry is valued greatly. If your family is in the business, you've obviously experienced it firsthand. Were your essays focused on hospitality? Who wrote your recommendations? Give us more info and we can probably give you a more accurate idea of your chances.</p>
<p>Good luck to you & thejuiceisback! We need more hotelies! :)</p>
<p>09Hotelie: They use SAT2 scores basically...you have to take mad SAT2s I think</p>
<p>Hey...whats up, Cjiridita....like you i applied to the hotel school from nj and i just had my interview this past monday january 31....anyway...what i can tell you is that test scores arent as important with this school....last year's entering class only had a mean sat of 1320 so its not that high...what they do value is work experience and leadership...in my interview they really seemed to stress these two things...i worked at a country club for a couple years and have had a couple other service related jobs...your restaurant experience is great especially because you have been doing it for so long...considering that id say you have a good chance b/c of your experience...other than that just make sure you have a good interview...good luck</p>
<p>Wait, you are travelling from LA to NY for an interview? (!)</p>
<p>Like sparticus said, the fact that you are home schooled would make me wary. Hotelies are notorious social butterflies where as home schooled kids haven't usually had to talk to another person in their entire lives (ok, so I'm kidding...sort of). But if you are the exception to the stereotype then you have a good shot.</p>
<p>Additionally, did you ever take the PSAT? If so, what did you get on it?</p>
<p>Oh and also, does living in a "not so good area of LA" translate into you being an URM? If so, this would of course help your chances. Or do I just need to stop stereotyping?</p>
<p>No, being in a "not so good area of LA" doesn't necessarily translate into being a URM. I just grew up in an area where there are a lot of drugs around, and decided early to pull out of the local school district, since at 12 kids were doing cocaine. Not okay. Also, I do have great social skills, they are just a little too advanced for the age. Every friend I have is 20-32, not exactly normal for a 16 year old girl.<br>
Yes, I'm going from LA, staying with friends in NY and interviewing there in 6 days. And, slightly freaking out.
Thank you all for your help, like I said any advice or help or any encouraging thoughts is extremely appreciated.
=)
-Cjira</p>
<p>Be yourself at the interview. They're really not that scary, especially in retrospect, though I was a tad nervous before my first one. But anyway, don't try and be someone your not, you'll come off awkward, etc. Just be polite, modest- the usual.</p>
<p>The hotelies on here can tell you about typical interview questions probably.</p>