I am incoming freshman at Claremont McKenna College. I understand that there are physical education credits that must be fulfilled at CMC and know that I can do so by participating in a sport. I did have a few questions regarding that.
- If I’ve never had experience playing a particular sport, am I allowed to play?
- As it is still Division III, will there be try-outs even if the credits are “required?”
- Recruit questionnaires request our past coaches’ information (contact, etc), but what if it’s my first time playing?
- Is there a divide between varsity sport players and other “general” players, if that makes sense?
- Are the recruit questionnaires part of informal sign-ups, and if not, where do we apply?
If it means anything, I am interested in playing either girl’s soccer, volleyball, or track and field. Please provide me with the answers to the best of your ability. It is much appreciated. Thank you 
The physical education requirement does not need to be fulfilled by playing on a CMS NCAA sports team. But understand that CMS’ sports teams are very competitive. Unless you’ve played a particular sport in the past and were very, very good at it, you’ll have no shot at playing on one there. You can’t just “go out” for a sport like it was little league baseball. CMS takes its sports very seriously and there’s no way you’ll get a spot on the roster by just showing up. There is no “divide” between varsity players and “general players.” No one ever plays a sport for credit; they do so because they are good at it and want to compete at a high level. Moreover, the time commitment to an athletic team is considerable.
The recruit questionnaires are there for applicants to CMC who currently play a club sport or high school sport and want to continue on a competitive CMS team. CMS gives admittance preference to its athletes. In fact, most ED admits are recruited athletes.
That being the case, there are great opportunities to get your P.E. requirements in intermural sports. Volleyball and soccer, as well as other sports, are available, most of which are co-ed. They are fun and competitive.
Lastly, not to be nit-picking, but you are an adult now, so there are no “girl’s” teams anymore.
My kid at another 5C found the PE courses to be fine. She took fencing, archery, and something else (maybe a swimming fitness class?). She had thought about committing to a club sport, but found the classes easier. I don’t think she loved the swimming class (maybe because she got stung by a bee at the pool if I remember right), but she liked the others just fine. The time commitment to the classes isn’t very high, and at least for her school they are pass/fail.
I also have a kid at another of the 5C’s with a PE requirement. She always considered herself non-athletic. She took rock climbing the first semester. She had so much fun she took weight lifting the second semester and now is weight lifting at the local gym this summer. She is signed up to take an aerial/trapeze class next semester as a sophomore. There really is something for everyone.
To put things into perspective, CMS just won the D-3 title in men’s golf. The teams are not open to first-time athletes, but rather highly talented ones who have spent YEARS playing.
There’s no way you’re making a volleyball or soccer as a person who’s never played before. As far as track and field if you are a runner look at the times of their current athletes. Can you match them? My kids are swimmers so it is very easy to see if they would be competitive on a particular team just by looking at the times.