Swim test concerns

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

Okay, I know I sound really stupid, but the swim test is something I’m really concerned about, so I have a few questions to ask

  1. During orientation week, can you just not show up to the swim test? And if you don’t show up, are you automatically forced to take the beginner’s swim class?

  2. My plan is to take private swimming lessons during freshman year summer break (I recently got a shoulder surgery, so I couldn’t learn swimming this summer), and take the make-up test during sophomore year. I don’t want to take beginning swim class during freshman year because a. I hear it’s really tiring b. I want to learn swimming in my own time c. I want to explore other Phys Ed options. Is it okay to not take the orientation week swim test and the beginner’s swim class as long as I pass the test before I graduate?

2
  1. Just don't sign up for a swim test. Then you won't be missing anything. You aren't forced to take the swim class.
  2. You just have to pass before you graduate, although I hear it's harder to sign up for a swim test after freshman year...not sure why that is/if it's true.

Do you not know how to swim at all, or are you just not very good at it?

3

Thanks for the reply!

I was confused whether not signing up for the swim test = failing the swim test. I was told that if you fail the swim test than taking beginner’s swimming class is a must.

I learned how to swim when I was really, really young, but I haven’t been to the pool since then. Plus, my shoulder surgery has prevented me from working out for the past 2 months, so I don’t think I’ll be in good shape once orientation week comes. From what I hear, the swim test is more a test of endurance than of skill. And I don’t think my shoulder will be able to endure 75 yards of non stop swimming.

4

My roommate didn’t sign up for the swim test last year just because she didn’t feel like it (even though she knows how to swim). She didn’t have to take beginner’s swimming, but she will have to take the swim test at some point.

The swim test is super easy. You don’t have to be a good swimmer at all. But of course if you’re recovering from surgery, it might be a little more difficult. On the swim test sign-up page, there might be a way of opting out for the test in August due to injury. I feel like I vaguely remember something like that, but I’m honestly not sure.

5

The web site gives a different answer. You do need to take PE courses to graduate and it says there will be a hold on those electives until you either pass the swim test or take the swimming course (or get a waiver in some other manner).

http://courses.cornell.edu/content.php?catoid=14&navoid=3144

6

See if you could be excused for medical reason.

7

The only way I can be excused for a medical reason is if I have a disability that precludes ALL physical activities.

8

@Ranza123 Was your roommate forbidden from taking other P.E. classes because she didn’t sign up? Because as NJCornellMom points out, on the website it says that all my other electives will be put on hold until I either pass the swim test or take the swimming course

9

Only your PE electives, not all electives. You need two PE electives to graduate. This won’t impact the rest of your schedule. Still, I wouldn’t leave it hanging for too long.

10

My D is is practicing to make sure she doesn’t stray into another lane on her backstroke because she always go crooked!!! I’m sure it will all be fine and she’ll be signing up today in a few hours.

11

My roommate did still take other P.E. classes (although she ended up dropping her second semester P.E. class, so she will end up having to take another). I definitely wouldn’t recommend not taking the swim test just because you don’t feel like it, although it does sound like you have legitimate reasons not to! Maybe putting a hold on your other P.E. courses is something new that was implemented this year, or maybe my roommate just ignored it and got around the system somehow.

The swim test is honestly so easy and takes 5 minutes of your time; if there is any way you can possibly take it in August I would highly recommend doing so just to get it out of the way and not have to worry about it anymore.

12

It’s more about endurance, less about skill. If you have asthma or low physical endurance, it’s not a piece of cake. But most people have no problem with it.

13

You can take the swim test later, but it’s harder to sign up for and I’m pretty sure there’s a fee. I would try emailing someone and explaining the whole shoulder-surgery thing, I’m sure they can do something for you.