<p>"I've only heard about a weekend bus to Columbus, which implies students would otherwise be stuck in tiny Hiram (and if it doesn't have a single Chinese takeout restaurant . . . . "</p>
<p>Ordinarily, I wouldn't consider the absence of Chinese or other takeout a problem, but Hiram is one of 20 schools on on PR's "Is It Food?" list; bad food on campus and limited/no off campus options - - not a good combination.</p>
<p>According to this one parent with a student at Hiram the food had gone downhill. You can see the dates of the posts. Apparently the food service was changed. It all says that the students have a powerful voice. If it is so powerful, then why would Hiram be listed on the "Is It Food?" list? That does not sound good at all.</p>
<p>Got into Hiram, but with insufficient aid. They are asking me to pay $24000 per year. Is there anyway to increase my aid and make it to around $13000?</p>
<p>
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It's one of the limited number of colleges to be the Alma Mater of a President (Garfield).
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</p>
<p>Technically, Hiram is not Garfield's Alma Mater, because it wasn't a "college" when he attended. At that time, it was a private secondary school (basically a prep school). So it was more like his high school. </p>
<p>Hiram, like many LACs, was originally established as a private secondary school, and was later "upgraded" to college status. As a secondary school, it was called the "Western Reserve Eclectic Institute". Garfield was closely associated with the Institute, as a student, instructor, and principal. But this was all before it gained authorization to operate as a college, and before it changed its name to "Hiram College". </p>
<p>Garfield did graduate from Williams College after studying at the Institute. He also practiced law, but never formally studied at a law school.</p>
<p>My S who is applying for class of 2013 has been receiving several emails from Hiram, even this late in the application process. He is not interested in an LAC but if someone is looking for a school to apply to this late in the game, Hiram might be worth looking into.</p>