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Admissions

Transfer Applicants

Transfer students represent more than a third of each graduating class. Most successful transfer students have had significant work experience in the hospitality industry which adds a unique perspective to our student body.

Transfer Applicant Eligibility

If you have earned 12 or more credits at another accredited college or university since graduating from high school, you are eligible to apply as a transfer applicant. If you are attending a two-year program, you are encouraged to complete your associate's degree prior to transferring to Cornell. Your prior major need not be in hospitality management or even a related area. 

Transfer Application Requirements

The Cornell transfer application consists of the Common Application, which Cornell uses exclusively, and the Cornell University Supplement to the Common Application.  Please review the application instructions provided by the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

In addition to the application materials, you must also submit:

  1. Official transcripts from your high school and all colleges attended
  2. Request for an on-campus or off-campus interview
  3. SAT or ACT scores if you have already taken them
    (you are not required to take the tests if you have not already done so).
  4. Official TOEFL or IELTS score

Transfer Selection Process

The admissions selection committee applies the same standards for transfer applicants as it does for first-year applicants. There is no specific cumulative grade-point-average (GPA) cutoff, but a 3.0 (out of a possible 4.0) or higher should be your goal.

Transfer of Credit

The School of Hotel Administration allows transfer students to bring in a maximum of 60 credits from other accredited colleges or universities to count toward their degree here. Up to 21 of those credits may replace some of our required courses: up to 21 credits can be free electives; and up to 18 credits can be distributive electives.

Evaluations of how your courses will transfer into our curriculum are prepared shortly after admission decisions are made. We cannot tell you before your application is reviewed what credits may or may not be transferable.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfer Applicants for additional information.