What state? Virginia Tech and JMU both have hospitality majors

https://www.vt.edu/academics/majors/hospitality-and-tourism-management.html

https://www.jmu.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/hospitality-management.shtml

Anonymous wrote:I had a friend like this and she was spectacular. We both went to a top lac, she planned practically most of the big events and eventually became president because she was so well liked for her event planning. She now is a chief marketing officer for a major hedge fund and makes more than I ever will. College is perfect for these students- my friend majored in English and media, but marketing is also a good route.

Yes- I was going to chime in about my similar friend. She was the student council type in HS, basically ran everything she touched in college, and was recruited to buy-side work and handled roadshows after college. She ended up in VC making a bajillion dollars.

Don’t undersell your DD’s abilities, OP. Party planning=people and executive functioning skills, which most top students sorely lack and which corporations desperately want.

BU has a pretty good hospitality school if DC doesn't get into Cornell. George Mason isn't too bad as a backup either.

Anonymous wrote:University of Delaware has a good hospitality program. They have an on-site Marriott and a high end restaurants that the students help run.

This sounds good, OP.

Anonymous wrote:USC or Cornell Hospitality.

Being a Californian, I don't understand USC's attraction, cost ( $96k a year) and don't value its academics, however, it does have a "small business" major. On the other hand, a relative shilled out $400k to attend and is only a real estate agent (very low access bar in CA).

University of Delaware has a good hospitality program. They have an on-site Marriott and a high end restaurants that the students help run.

Hospitality / Hotel Management - both of which incorporate the business side of the field. UCF, Cornell, UNLV or if you have a global bent, Ecole Hoteliere in Lausanne.

FIU - School of Hospitality

https://hospitality.fiu.edu/index.html

They partner with the Food Network to run the SoBe food festival and other events. Great contacts and experience and very generous with merit aid.

University of Florida has a Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management major.

Anonymous wrote:I would go to a big school with lots of events (Greek, sports, alumni). Study marketing, PR, communications. There will be lots of opportunities to get involved with planning committees etc.

Don’t really need a big school for any of this, might drown op’s child out of a lot of opportunities. Id go medium to small with an active campus scene where they can play big roles, especially with student government and event committees.

I know a Yale grad who’s a wedding planner.

I would go to a big school with lots of events (Greek, sports, alumni). Study marketing, PR, communications. There will be lots of opportunities to get involved with planning committees etc.

I am friends with a high-end event planner, the type who invites me to Hawaii on her client's dime because they gave her a suite. And then because she's been there so. many times we get comped at all the best restaurants.

Anyway we were talking one time about hiring and she said she wants someone with a bachelor's but doesn't care what it's in. I asked why they need college at all, and she said "I want to know they can make a four-year commitment." That really stuck with me. So, let your DD major in whatever strikes her fancy, and work as an assistant for an event planner on weekends and summers. Then she can parlay that into a full time job and eventually start her own company.

This IS a career and a college major - Hospitality. Try Cornell for this, it's one of the best. Also UNLV, USC, Central Florida (sponsored by...Disney).

A well-rounded liberal arts curriculum with exposure to art, history, religion, etc can help, in addition to courses in business/management.