<p>soo... i know there IS a swim test required by cornell (hahah..how crazy) ...but, is it required at the end of the 4 years for graduation.. orr.. before you enter the school?! lol i thought it was at the end.. but i just heard you need to take the test before u can go to the school... anyone know?</p>
<p>u take it during orientation...another testament of my obsession. <em>sigh</em> :(</p>
<p>wow.. what if you cant swim?!?! -__-
could they reject you right then? or not let you go?</p>
<p>They have you take swim classes as part of your gym requirement.</p>
<p>If you fail it you have to take some swim course, that's according to the literature... dunno if it would be your gym class or just something on the side...</p>
<p>Shouldn't be too hard anywho.</p>
<p>hahah omgg. i never knew not knowin how to swim [well] would be such a problem x_X</p>
<p>it's less than 100 meters...not particularly challenging...</p>
<p>you could log float down that length effortlessly</p>
<p>People would always laugh when I told them I couldn't swim. What felt natural to them didn't feel natural to me at all. They'd jump into a pool and float and swim. I'd jump in and sink. It wasn't until I got to Cornell when a championship-winning swimming instructor told me why my body wasn't conducive to being a good swimmer. I had to work harder than everyone else in my class in order to stay afloat and propel myself through the water. I eventually found out that moving through the water was much harder than I imagined. The second problem was sychronizing my breathing. Since I was always low in the water I would breathe in water rather than air on many occassions. I eventually got good enough to past the test but I never gained the confidence to jump into the deep end of a pool outside of the swimming class. I can't even tread water.</p>
<p>lol me neither!! (i don't really get how everyone says treading water is so easy) hahahha... yeah.. i kind of panic when i'm in water =(</p>
<p>you don't have to take it if you can't swim. you just have to let them know that you can't swim and they will sign you up for a mandatory swim class. if you fail, you also have to take the swim class</p>
<p>can we wear a bikini?
hehe j/k</p>
<p>lol yes you can, i did</p>
<p>Finally....I was wondering how long it would be until someone started this thread.</p>
<p>justinmeche...dont worry...i cant swim either,,,neither can i bike...i can skateboard tho---I wish that cud go on my college app...provinicial best skateboarder</p>
<p>I couldn't swim either so I had to take the beginner's swim class. They go very slow, starting out in the shallow pool and you spend minimal time in the deep pool. A much better swim class than my high school PE class where they just threw you into the deep pool.</p>
<p>I passed the swim test a few weeks into the semester (they test you when they feel you are ready) and ended up ditching way too many classes after that for a satisfactory grade but the coach/teacher gave me a S anyways.</p>
<p>The swim class was actually kind of fun. Most kids in my class could swim and only needed to perfect their technique and build up their endurance, so the few who really couldn't swim got lots of personal attention. And we also played a variety of games and had free time to fool around.</p>
<p>hahah that's kind of cool.. i wouldn't mind having swimming as a gym class. we never had that for my HS.</p>
<p>whats the reasoning behind this test in the first place? </p>
<p>Isn't it kind of random that kids HAVE to know how to swim?</p>
<p>I think they're afraid of you falling into the gorges...hahahha</p>
<p>No, but a lot of my friends @ other colleges have had to take them :-)</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 (<a href="http://www.snopes.com/college/admin/swimtest.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.snopes.com/college/admin/swimtest.htm</a>), 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>By Itziar (Itziar) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 10:29 pm: Edit</p>
<p>This comes from the Widener family. Mrs. Widener's son (sorry, I can't recall their first names) drowned when the Titanic sank and he didn't know how to swim. The Widener family donated a lot of money to Harvard on the condition that all students must pass a swim test (there were also other conditions unrelated to swimming, such as not altering the Widener library building in any way...anyhow, that's another story!). I believe the swim test is required at all Ivys; it's definitely at Harvard, Columbia, and Cornell. </p>
<p>Hope this provides some clarification! I hear that most people put it off 'til senior year, anyhow. </p>
<p>By Itziar (Itziar) on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 - 10:32 pm: Edit</p>
<p>^ Ha, Ghhizzmo, you posted right before me. The Widener story definitely holds true for Harvard...either it just caught on at the other schools, too, or it was instituted during WWII, like you said.</p>
<p>By Noodleman (Noodleman) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 08:18 am: Edit</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>The subject of swim tests, where the test originated, why not everyone takes the test, etc. are long standing and popular questions among Cornellians. If you search for "Swim Test" in the Uncle Ezra archives, you will find additional information.</p>
<p>By Mjl86 (Mjl86) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 08:41 am: Edit</p>
<p>you guys must be kidding; now it makes the ivies look so unappealing. what about brown? Do they administer a swim test?</p>