<p>Is this still required and if so, what does it consist of</p>
<p>Yes, it’s required. It’s not a big deal. I think you basically just have to swim across the pool, and then tread water for a minute or so. No one’s policing your form; they’re just testing that you’re capable of encountering a body of water without immediately drowning.</p>
<p>When I took it it was swim two lengths of the pool, 50m, however you wanted. Not a big deal c:</p>
<p>When I took the test at the beginning of this year, we had to swim one length on our stomach and the length back on our backs. I never properly learned how to swim, so I just kinda floated on my back and they didn’t say anything.</p>
<p>They won’t let you graduate if you don’t pass it - as I found out during my last semester at Williams. If you can swim even a little bit, I’d recommend giving the test a shot. As previous posters have said, it’s just a length freestyle and then a length on your back. The maximum depth you’ll be at is 7 feet if memory serves. If you can’t swim, though, Coach Kuster is a great person to take the beginning swim class with. Either way, you have no reason to worry. Oh and I’d strongly recommend dealing with it during your first year!</p>
<p>If I remember correctly, I swam one length using front crawl or breastroke (forgot which one) and then swam back with a backstroke. Pretty easy. Get it done early.</p>
<p>Of course the swim test is easy for those who can swim. For the unfortunate few though, no worries either, coach Kuster is absolutely amazing. In order to complete the swim class, you only have to finish a parody of what the real test is (swimming the width of the pool instead of the length).</p>
<p>I’m with the college on this one. You should really know how to swim, if only so that you can go out on a dock without fear/a life jacket and so that if you were to ever fall in, that you won’t pose a real harm to those trying to rescue you.</p>
<p>It’s not the hardest thing to learn, and it’s a true life skill.</p>