Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hiram the right academic match for me?

Hiram College is a liberal arts college. At a liberal arts college, we believe that your educational experience should be first and foremost an academic adventure that prepares you for the future. We do this in two ways. First, the best preparation comes from gaining knowledge in a variety of fields and acquiring different perspectives. Hiram provides this preparation through broad education requirements in different disciplines. Secondly, the College provides each student with in-depth exposure to one academic subject through intense work in that field of study, called a "major." If you are uncertain about your major, then the liberal arts approach makes Hiram College a good match for you. If Hiram offers a major in one of your areas of interest, then the College is also a good match.

Does Hiram offer the right learning environment?

Faculty

Do you care who your teachers are? We hope you do, because our faculty will care who you are. At Hiram College we take great pride in working with individual students. Our faculty members are master teachers distinguished by their love of teaching. Classes are small, usually with 12 to 18 students. Your teachers will know your name. More importantly, they'll know you well enough to know when and how to challenge you to achieve at the highest level possible.

Calendar

Does the way in which a school organizes its academic calendar really make a difference? We believe so. We know that students have different learning styles and our academic calendar, with long (12-week) and short (3-week) sessions complementing each other, exposes you to learning formats best suited for individual subjects. Since not all classes are the same, why should they be taught using the same format? In the longer sessions, you'll be able to cover a breadth of material, undertake major research projects, and make connections in material learned in concurrent classes. In the three-week sessions, you'll enroll in one small, seminar-style course on a special topic where the focus might be study abroad, field experience, or hands-on research opportunities. If you thrive in learning environments which feature small class sizes, personal attention, and varied class formats, then Hiram is a good match. On the other hand, if you thrive in large lectures or prefer standardized tests and a chance to fade into the crowd, Hiram is definitely not a good choice.

Students

Will you fit in? If you're a bright student, you'll want to surround yourself with students who are your intellectual peers. The majority of students in Hiram's entering classes score in the top 15% on national testing, and graduate in the top quarter of their high schools' classes.

Does Hiram provide the extra learning opportunities I will need for the future?

Internships

How do you learn best? If the answer is, "by doing," Hiram may be the right choice for you. Hiram's rich diversity of internship opportunities gives students the chance to experience a career before graduation. Not all colleges offer this opportunity. A college major is not the same thing as a future career. Choosing a major at a liberal arts college opens up many career opportunities, not just one. You can use an internship to try out a future career. If it doesn't suit you, you can then change your career aspirations without necessarily having to change your major. At many non-liberal arts colleges, changing majors and/or career goals may cause you to lose valuable time and college credit because careers are directly linked to highly specific majors. At Hiram we recognize that the two may be related but are not necessarily linked.

Computer and Writing Skills

We believe that all students need certain skills for the future. At Hiram, students have access to personal computers and training, using software necessary for meeting the demands of careers in the 21st century. From freshman to senior year, we provide training for better writing through our writing center and through critical faculty evaluation of written work in all disciplines, not just the humanities.

International Experiences

Your exposure to other peoples and cultures should not end when you enroll at an American institution. At Hiram we recognize this fact. Since 19 over 40 percent of all graduates have participated in Hiram College faculty-led study abroad programs on six continents. Our curriculum is directed north, south, east and west to include courses with representation from countries and cultures around the globe. And as an international student, you will be joining a diverse group of students from 23 countries.

Is Hiram College the right size and location for me?

Hiram College is located in an academic village of 600 residents and 900 students. The campus, which blends traditional college buildings and historic homes, provides a close-knit, academic community that ensures a student-centered environment. The fact that all students must reside on the campus and many faculty members live within walking distance of the College fosters a sense of community that extends beyond the classroom. Our international students, who come from both big cities and small, comment about the natural beauty of the area. We are 45 minutes from the heart of a major city, Cleveland. If you envision yourself in a safe rural environment with access to nearby cities, then Hiram is a good choice. If you can thrive only in a major metropolitan area, then Hiram is not a good match.

What is campus life like at Hiram?

International Student Support

At Hiram we help you make the transition to study in America. We provide orientation for all new students, with special sessions for all students who come from abroad, even if you are an American. We have a full-time international advisor to work with you. Your parents or guardians will also have access to people whom they can get to know individually on campus. Whether you need this support or not, it is available to all students with an international background.

Leadership Opportunities

College should give you opportunities to prepare for a future of working with others in many different situations. Hiram is small enough that students can make a difference. In fact, we depend upon students to fill all sorts of leadership roles on the campus. For students who like a thousand things to do each night and events already planned for them, Hiram is not the best choice. Hiram students are participants, not observers. They are active in more than 80 campus organizations. For students who want the opportunity to shape the world around them, Hiram is a good match.

What will I be prepared to do when I graduate from Hiram?

Our 150 years of experience tells us that the answer is, "Whatever you want to do!" While many of our graduates enter the work force after completing their studies, 60 percent choose to go on to graduate or professional school within five years. Hiram College graduates have gained admission into some of the finest and most selective graduate and professional programs in the country. They have distinguished themselves in a variety of fields including law, research, business, education and communication. If you wish to continue your education, the Hiram College degree can open doors for you at some of the most respected graduate schools in the country.

Is Hiram College a good financial match for me?

U.S. citizens and permanent residents (LPR) living abroad are eligible to apply for need-based aid from Hiram College, their state of official residence and the federal government. International students are not eligible for need-based aid.

All applicants, including international freshman and transfers, are eligible to compete for merit-based scholarships (i.e. awarded without consideration of financial need) through the Freshman Scholarship Program. Scholarships range from $3,000 to $18,000 per year. International students should plan to provide a minimum of $13,000-$14,000 per year from a source other than Hiram College. This may include private funds, non-Hiram scholarships or outside educational loans. Educational loans from a U.S. bank may be available to international students if they have a co-signer who meets requirements set by the bank.