<p>This might not be that important, but what do you think of the required "gym" that Columbia has. You HAVE to take swimming? With all you have on your plate, I would think that should be optional. My cousin is going to get a waiver for health reasons if she gets in, but all and all is ambiguous with the core requirements. Every school has it's strengths though and I told her to visit once or twice to see how she feels in person.</p>
<p>u dont have to take a swimming class but you do have to take a swim test. I will probably do yoga next year (bty).</p>
<p>yoga sounds nice. Thanks for the update. I did find out yesterday about the test, but if you don't swim well (or hate it) you have to do 3 laps or take lessons. That seemed a bit much. It's just an opinion, but she thought, "here I am in an Ivy League school and still forced to do gym!" She likes pilaties and yoga, but not swimming because of skin allergies and just not liking water sports.</p>
<p>the swim test is kind of annoying, but you're offered many opportunities to take it throughout each school year. i'm taking judo right now and i love it!</p>
<p>I'm curious, do the guys at Columbia take things like pilaties and yoga too? I overheard a student at my gym say that he didn't want to do a lot of his phys.ed requir., judo,aerobics,fencing, etc. and found yoga to be helpful to his running and great way to meet women!</p>
<p>is the swim test required for grad students also?</p>
<p>I think I read something about how Engineering students don't have to take the swimming test or something...</p>
<p>LoL, interesting but no. We definitely have to.</p>
<p>But the saying goes that engineers can just build a brdige over the Hudson River in case the British attacks. ;)</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure my information session person said that engineers don't have to take it...</p>
<p>Two terms of physical education ( C1001 - C1002 ) are a degree requirement for students in The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. No more than 4 points of physical education courses may be counted toward the degree. A student who intends to participate in an intercollegiate sport should register for the appropriate section of C1005: Intercollegiate athletics . Intercollegiate athletes who attend regularly receive 1 point of credit up to the maximum of 4. Those who are advised to follow a restricted or adapted activity program should contact Professor Torrey in the Department of Physical Education and Intercollegiate Athletics. The physical education program offers a variety of activities in the areas of aquatics, dance, fitness, martial arts, individual and dual lifetime sports, team sports, and outdoor education. Most activities are designed for the beginner/intermediate levels. Advanced courses are indicated on the schedule. The majority of the activities are offered in ten time preferences. However, there are early-morning conditioning activities, Friday-only classes at Baker Field, and special courses that utilize off-campus facilities during weekends and vacation periods. A description of the scheduled activities for each time preference is posted in the Physical Education Office, 336 Dodge Physical Fitness Center, and is included on the Department of Physical Education and Intercollegiate Athletics home page. Students may register for only one section of physical education each term.</p>
<p>from the Fu Foundation Bulletin. . . NO SWIM TEST FOR FU SEAS</p>
<p>The College Bulletin includes a bit about swimming, pass a swim test or take beginning swimming.</p>
<p>Both Fu and College kids do have to take a year's worth of phys ed, though, the C1001 - C 1002, which is like "Body Sculpt," "Cardio Fit," (I like those names hehe), Basketball, Tennis. . . . or intercollegiate sports, C1005, I guess</p>
<p>SEAS = nerds = don't want to fail = NO swim test</p>
<p>hmm kind of surprising that people have such negative feelings toward a simple swimming test, personally I find swimming to be a very relaxing sport and looking forward to taking swimming anyways if I ever do attend columbia. (Fu not college)</p>
<p>Yeah, I think once you learn to swim, the water is a lot of fun. It's really hard not to like it. And if you don't learn, think how long you'll be missing out. You might as well learn.</p>
<p>The only thing that stops me from swimming is because I hate smelling like chlorine after...and I'm too lazy to take a shower.</p>
<p>I stand corrected, Thank you Jono.</p>
<p>I still enjoy swimming though, but I fail to see mcortex88's logic of "Seas=nerds" & etc. Uh...right....</p>
<p>I seem to always smell like chlorine. It's swim season right now and no matter how much I shower I can still smell it. While it's a little strange that there's a required swim test, I don't think it's a bad thing. If I could do it when I was two, then college graduates should be able to as well.</p>
<p>Well it is kind of true that SEAS students are bigger "nerds," considering their generally higher SAT scores and grades. But...what's wrong with being a nerd? Though I'm a nerd...I'm still going to get all the Columbia and Barnard girls to flock towards me. :) Haha, just kidding.</p>
<p>Actually...I think everyone that is on this forum is kind of a nerd.</p>
<p>Sometimes I think it's "cool" to enjoy being a nerd and to admit to being one. On the other hand, a person who fits the standard definition of a nerd is not my choice company.</p>
<p>lol agreed
well the only thing I dun like about swimming is getting the smell out of my hair; it usually takes half an hr or so to wash out the smell. it also takes a while to dry it.
but hey, swimming itself is very fun, and definetly a skill worth having.</p>