Everyone I know who went there ended up in jobs where customers were jerks. They wanted out of restaurants and hotels, but it was hard.

Anonymous wrote:now here's an AI-proof career

and fun!

I don't know about that. What happens when people can't afford to travel?

My sister went 20 years ago and now runs a million dollar business (or maybe more Im not a math/numbers person). The connections alone are worth it. And she was a very social outgoing person, not an academic.

You son is right

Anonymous wrote:now here's an AI-proof career

and fun!

Yep, this one and the Ag school at Cornell. I swear people are applying to the wrong degrees.

now here's an AI-proof career

and fun!

My daughter is in her first year at Nolan. She loves the program. It’s not all about folding napkins and making beds. There are intense financial courses. It’s not a school that attracts introverts, which is why you often hear that Hotelies are the happiest on campus. They like engaging with others.

Right now all of her courses are programmed. She practically lives at Statler which she jokingly refers to as “Statler High” because everyone is taking the same courses together in the same building. She’ll get to branch out to other courses across campus next year.

The campus is gorgeous. And she’s met some really nice people. No lie, though, Cornell is an intense place, even for Hotelies. Everyone is studying.

She already has an amazing internship lined up for the summer. She was deciding between offers from Aspen, Montauk and Jackson Hole.

OP-if this is what your son wants, tell him to go for it. His application has to have experiences in hospitality—work in restaurants or hotels, planning events, etc. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak to 30 years ago, but the Hotel School students then seemed to be among the most outgoing and social, and least stressed, of kids at Cornell.

They did not seem to be the most intellectual. And I'm not dissing them at all, they were plenty intelligent and were very successful after graduating, they just weren't the students that had jumped ahead three years in math, or already had a patent, or what have you. But I know many, including a close friend, who have been very successful in business, and not just the hospitality business. Many go on to get an MBA. The alumni network is also very strong.

As to the classes, there were required classes then that involved learning how to make a bed (that was just one part of the class, but it was required, I suppose if you're going to run a hotel you should know) and a semester long class called "TCAB" (Terrace Cafe and Bistro) where the students ran a restaurant for the whole semester. Each student was required to head up one night (theme, menu, food ordering, staff--which was the other students---etc) and invited friends to come to their night to eat. But of course there were also just regular business, finance, management, marketing-type courses too.

That sounds so fun! I want to take that class!

Sorry standards and competition are lower

It’s the back door way to get into Cornell as the standards are competitive are definitely lower.

Anonymous wrote:if I could live my life again, I might go this route.

Me too. I love nice hotels.

if I could live my life again, I might go this route.

I can only speak to 30 years ago, but the Hotel School students then seemed to be among the most outgoing and social, and least stressed, of kids at Cornell.

They did not seem to be the most intellectual. And I'm not dissing them at all, they were plenty intelligent and were very successful after graduating, they just weren't the students that had jumped ahead three years in math, or already had a patent, or what have you. But I know many, including a close friend, who have been very successful in business, and not just the hospitality business. Many go on to get an MBA. The alumni network is also very strong.

As to the classes, there were required classes then that involved learning how to make a bed (that was just one part of the class, but it was required, I suppose if you're going to run a hotel you should know) and a semester long class called "TCAB" (Terrace Cafe and Bistro) where the students ran a restaurant for the whole semester. Each student was required to head up one night (theme, menu, food ordering, staff--which was the other students---etc) and invited friends to come to their night to eat. But of course there were also just regular business, finance, management, marketing-type courses too.

My daughter’s friend is a freshman there. She was a strong, but far from stellar, student. She made her essays specific to Nolan. As far as I know she is happy there. Good luck!

My son wants to apply here. I expressed concern about the culture of Cornell but he promises that Nolan is different, with less intense kids, easier grading, and easier classes. Otherwise he will apply to business programs or with the intent to get into the undergrad business school. Please share any insights.