Swimming test~

[Jimgotkp]

<p>i dont care if i swim nude. :)</p>

[Moonmaid]

<p>This thread is hilarious. I just happened to see it, and it is very funny.</p>

<p>To the poster with the nearsighted daughter: I am very nearsighted, and wear high quality non-leaking goggles along with my contacts when I swim. Otherwise I would probably be banned at my health club from bumping into people.</p>

[mellow]

<p>Regarding those w/bad eyesight… just wear close fitting quality goggles while wearing contacts. That’s what I did during HS swim team.</p>

[peace_world_7]

<p>should you sign up for a clase if you are scared, or should you try the test anyway, and sign up after you failed the test?</p>

<p>is it true that they really deduct 0.5 GPA for failing and add 0.4 back after you pass the class??</p>

[seuferk]

<p>hmm…i can’t even tread water. This is definitely not cool.</p>

[norcalguy]

<p>Considering ameechee and I are both current Cornell students, I think you should believe us.</p>

<p>You don’t need to tread water. You just need to be able to swim. In HS, we had a test where we had to tread water for 20 min. I thought that was a lot harder than just swimming 3 laps.</p>

[fudgemaster]

<p>I dunno, from my experience at least for the guys, the swimming test was sorta like a race. although it’s untimed, you’re swimming with several other people in the other lanes and you don’t really wanna finish last (well at least I didn’t). if you have trouble swimming three consecutive laps (75 m), then maybe swim a little over the summer but the task isn’t difficult at all unless you are totally out of shape.</p>

<p>“is it true that they really deduct 0.5 GPA for failing and add 0.4 back after you pass the class??”
it’s not part of the grade, just like if you fail a pe course, it doesn’t affect your gpa, but i think most people pass it.</p>

<p>if you don’t know how to swim or haven’t gone swimming in years and are afraid, maybe just sign up for the pe course. there’s really no point to be stressed out by this test, especially since the prelims are harder.</p>

[Tahoe]

<p>This thread comes up so often…
I’m copying and pasting my posts from January.</p>

<p>This is from an alumni handbook:</p>

<p>

The swim test began during World War II. Because so many students were going off to fight, it was deemed a necessary skill to have. After the war ended, the swim test remained as a graduation requirement. Several years ago it came up for renewal and was reaffirmed by the faculty

</p>

<p>Here are the criteria for the test:

Jump in feet first, swim 3 lengths, one using the overhand stroke, one the backstroke, and one using a stroke of the swimmers choice, including the doggie paddle. No points are added or subtracted for style

</p>

<p>P.S. They are pulling your leg regarding it affecting your GPA!</p>

[Tahoe]

<p>Cut and pasted from CC archive… this might answer your questions @ swim test</p>

<p>*By Ghhizzmo (Ghhizzmo) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 10:25 pm: Edit</p>

<p>Previously posted in the January 2004 archive- this will answer all of your swim test questions!
From the “Ask Uncle Ezra” column on Cornell’s website:* </p>

<p>

DUE,
When I was a Freshman I was told the reason Cornell requires a swim test is because the child of a former president/admistrator/dean/etc.'s drowned a long long time ago.Is there any truth to this story? Thanks, Simon </p>

<p>Dear Simon, </p>

<p>You’ve stumbled upon one of the campus’ biggest wives tales! The rumor has even made it on to Snopes.com, an internet rumor debunker, but they reference a different college. The "T"ruth from the source is that the swim test is not the result of a mandate from a generous benefactor or influential administrator, nor is it an opportunity to drum up business for the Physical Education department.The real reason that CU has a swim test is far more practical.If you search the Ezra Archives you will learn that it began during World War II, because so many students were going off to fight, and it was deemed a necessary skill to have. After the war ended, the swim test remained. It is a graduation requirement as voted on by the University Faculty. Several years ago it came up for renewal and was reaffirmed by the faculty. Cornell is one of a handful of schools that still require a swim test, but like the swimming anxiety some students face, its origin tends to loom larger than the actual experience. I hope you successfully passed your swim test, or are enjoying learning this life long skill. </p>

<p>Uncle Ezra </p>

<p>Dear Uncle Ezra,
What does the swim test given to all freshmen actually test. I was accepted early decision and never learned how to swim. I really do not want to be forced to take a swim class, so I plan on learning this summer. If you could tell me what they test, I could prepare myself. Thanks. </p>

<p>Dear Swimming in Summer,
Congratulations on your acceptance to Cornell! The swim test is indeed a requirement, albeit controversial one, for graduation as approved by the University Faculty. Those students who are able to swim are asked to take the test during Orientation on one of their first few days at Cornell. Those who do not know how to swim are encouraged to sign up for the Learn-to-Swim Physical Education (P.E.) class for a semester or two. Taking the learn-to-swim class also helps to fulfill your P.E. credits that are also a requirement for graduation. And it’s good exercise.It can be fun, especially if you plan a spring break at the beach sometime! </p>

<p>The requirements for the swim test are:
-Jump in at the deep end of the pool (feet first is fine, no need to do a fancy dive)
-Swim one length (25 yards) on your stomach
-Swim one length (25 yards) on your back
-Swim one length (25 yards) any style </p>

<p>No one will judge you for style points. You can doggie paddle or kick your way down the pool if you like, and you can repeat a stroke during your third length. The swim test can be an annoyance for some, a dread for others, and for a few a great triumph! Many students who complete the learn-to-swim class are the first person in their family to learn how to swim!
Enjoy getting a jump-start on learning this life skill this summer. I look forward to seeing you on the hill and in the pool! </p>

<p>Uncle Ezra

</p>

<p>This was from a old time poster, who always had helpful insights:</p>

<p>

By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 08:18 am: </p>

<p>The origin of the swim test began around 1918 for women when the Director of Women’s Physical Education felt that it was a necessary skill for women to have. The swim test requirement for men was instituted about 1937 and was the result of World War II Cornell’s strong connection to ROTC; many Cornellians served in the war. After WWII, the faculty felt that the swim test (and the result that if you do not know how to swim, you need to take a class to learn how to swim) was an important life skill to have, and kept it in the requirements for graduation. And it is great exercise for your computer-bound generation. This specific requirement for graduation was reviewed again 2 years ago, and the faculty chose to keep it in the requirements for graduation. </p>

<p>Indeed, some transfer students are required to take the swim test, others are not. This is based on transfer credits/classes taken. Those transfer students who still need to fulfill physical education requirements at Cornell are required to take the swim test.

</p>

<p>I believe Harvard and Columbia also require Swim Tests.</p>

[jerseygirl07]

<p>thats incorrect … not all ivy schools have the swim test : harvard has stopped giving the swim test, due to its unfairness to handicapped students.</p>

[Myarmin]

<p>Good thing we don’t have to tread water, because I float like a rock. Maybe I’ll practice over the summer. </p>

<p>And for a while I really thought that GPA thing was true…</p>

[Tahoe]

<p>Hi Jerseygirl… I stand corrected… I guess I’m showing my age, however not as old as this Harvard/Radcliffe alum - cute story!
<a href=“http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2002/06.13/07-color2.html[/url]”>http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2002/06.13/07-color2.html&lt;/a&gt;

She’s no stranger to patience: Foss finished her requirements for a Radcliffe degree 63 years ago but was denied her diploma because she did not swim the requisite laps across the MAC pool. The swimming test “was a requirement, but I have a fear of water, and I especially don’t like to be in deep water,” Foss told The Washington Post.</p>

<p>It’s reported that in reviewing Foss’ case this year, a dean decided that if the purpose of the swimming test - no longer required of graduates - was to ensure that no graduate drowned in their lifetimes, Foss, now 85, was surely in the clear. That is, if the rain would let up.</p>

<p>It’s unclear whether Foss ever overcame her fear of the deep end. At the Radcliffe Annual Luncheon on Friday (June 7), however, she proudly showed Radcliffe Medalist Billie Jean King her new Harvard Swimming T-shirt.

</p>

[Tahoe]

<p>Interesting article in The Dartmouth Online about collegiate swim tests:
<a href=“http://www.thedartmouth.com/article.php?aid=2006051601030[/url]”>http://www.thedartmouth.com/article.php?aid=2006051601030&lt;/a&gt;

Few Schools Continue To Require Swim Test<br>
By Matthew Abbott, The Dartmouth Staff
Published on Tuesday, May 16, 2006</p>

<p>With commencement rapidly approaching, seniors who have yet to pass their swim test requirement are donning their bathing suits and heading to the pool in order to graduate on time.</p>

<p>As the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill becomes the most recent school to do away with the requirement, Dartmouth is one of the few remaining institutions in the United States that requires students to pass a swimming test in order to receive an undergraduate degree. Other institutions that have a similar requirement in place include Columbia University, Cornell University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Notre Dame University and the service academies.

</p>

[biggyboy]

<p>not all columbia students are required to take the swim test. it started out as a requirement incase something every happened in manhattan (an island), so you can safely swim to land. those enrolled in SEAS a few years back argued that they can figure out a way to build something in order for them to get off the island of manhattan. apparently some dean found this hilarious and now SEAS kids are exempt from a swimming requirement. perhaps some cornell engineering students can petition for the same?</p>

[TrackBabi17]

<p>u all are funny, the swim test affecting ur grade? real funny. Also to the person that asked, I wear contacts and i was in the swim class. All i used were some $5 goggles from Dicks and I was perfectly fine. the test is ok but if ur not sure I’d say try it first and if u fail then take the class b/c they are more lenient in the class</p>

[biggyboy]

<p>there are prescription goggles out there which you can get for pretty cheap if vision is a problem. swimming is fun!! take the class for extra practice folks.</p>

[yanimated]

<p>Again, this thread is HILARIOUS.</p>

[fudgemaster]

<p>seriously there are more important things to worry about than a swim test. if you are really worried about the swim test, just take beginner swimming.</p>

[erhswimming]

<p>Good thing I’m a swimmer! Oh shoot, I didn’t apply to Cornel…oh well lol</p>

[seuferk]

<p>i’m actually worried lol. not in a … i’m terrified of water kind of way…just in a…i can’t tread water kind of way. but i’m not worried about the test, i’ll swim a bit this summer.</p>