<p>Ok, yes, to some it might be nit-picky, but I'm having some serious reservations about the PE requirement. First of all, do I understand it correctly that it is 6 semesters? I read it a couple of times but maybe my brain is on vacation. My daughter is very in shape and active, but I don't see spending that kind of time or money on something that has nothing to do with her goals or career. </p>
<p>6 semesters would be 3 years. Haverford divides semesters into 2 quarters each, and the requirement is 6 quarters. So that’s 1.5 years. “. . . students must successfully complete six quarters within the first two years.”</p>
<p>I think this is part of choosing (or not choosing) Haverford. I would never have attended a school with this requirement, and my daughter wouldn’t either, I’m pretty sure.</p>
<p>With regards to the PE requirement, yes, it is only 6 quarters, not semesters. I personally think that it offers students a reprieve from simply sitting in their rooms studying the entire day, and it allows them to be social. Also, if your daughter is part of a varsity athletics team, that would fulfill the requirement as well. If not, offerings include yoga, dance, etc. which give students an opportunity to meet others and have a chance to unwind. If your daughter does like Haverford, I wouldn’t let the PE requirement, a very minuscule part of the Haverford experience, dissuade you or her~instead, I would encourage you to focus on other aspects of the school, like if the students are like her and whether or not she likes the Honor Code, Customs Week, Haverfest, etc. Also keep in mind that many schools have requirements similar to Haverford’s (i.e, Cornell and a few others have a swim test). Hope this helps! </p>
<p>Yes, my older son is at Cornell. They have the swim test (as does MIT), and also two semesters of PE. Which I think is wonderful. He’s taken yoga and has plans for geocaching. They have weekend rock climbing or caving, too. Just about anything you can imagine. My younger son, I am sure, will find equally enjoyable options at Haverford (we hope). He just needs to finish his essays. He happens to like yoga, too.</p>
<p>My daughter and I have 2 problems with it. One is the money. Huge factor for us, as we are supremely poor. We’d both rather that money go for classes that would help her learn. The other is her brother, a music major, doesn’t have time to breathe or eat he’s so busy and we can’t imagine if he had to find time to participate in sports. When do kids at these schools study if they are constantly playing ball or going white water rafting? Daughter loves loves loves to study. She loves to learn. She’s active. She’s very fit. But she doesn’t dig the required “gym” class. Just not pertinent to her goals. But thank you to everyone for the info. I know it is probably a good thing for some kids. Just probably not a good “fit” for D. :D</p>
<p>Well once you do Intro to Fitness for a quarter you can take independent running or swimming and just log your hours. If she excersizes on her own time this may be ideal for her. Plus the classes don’t cost anything extra. </p>
<p>I’m not an athletic person at all and I don’t really mind the PE requirements that much! I’m taking pilates this quarter and all you have to do is show up when there’s class and participate. </p>
<p>Thank you. I will tell her. That is useful to know about the cost and exercising on her own. </p>
<p>I think your daughter may be way overthinking the requirement. Three semesters of “get out of your dorm occasionally and exercise” is not unreasonable. Some students are certainly already doing so, and - as Sleuth has said - they just need to document it. The ones that are NOT doing so should be, and the college forcing them to do so is one component in building a well-rounded, healthy person.</p>
<p>Remind her that college is not job training. It is intended to be a place that provides a wide range of experiences (academic and otherwise) that equip her with the cultural literacy, communications skills, critical thinking skills, and life skills to pursue her after-college goals.</p>
<p>Honestly the PE requirement should not be a factor that makes you not choose Haverford. It is really not a big deal and most people, including myself, fulfill it by just doing normal everyday activities. The PE requirement is not like high school gym as it does not take up a class period. I fulfill my PE requirement by just being on a club sport (e.g. Soccer, Badminton, Ultimate Frisbee, Crew…) . My roommate does morning runs (and did them before he got to Haverford), and that fulfills his PE requirement. It is not a huge time commitment, and is actually a lot of fun in my opinion. The only “gym like” class you need to take is intro to fitness, which only meets 10 times, and you only need to show up for 8 of them. Intro to fitness does not take up an academic class time slot, and it is actually a good way to learn how to work out on your own. </p>
<p>To summarize: The PE requirement is not a big deal and should not factor into your decision.</p>
<p>FWIW, I think I managed some career benefit from my college fencing and squash classes. Aculturated me to East Coasters. ;)</p>
<p>Would taking dance classes at BMC satisfy the PE requirement? My D is applying to both school but wants to minor in dance.</p>
<p>That’s a good question. If I were you I would contact someone from the academic office at Haverford and ask them. As far as I know, it’s only varsity sports and PE classes that qualify, but you may be able to use dance as well.</p>