Were you required to take (and pass) "The Swim Test" to graduate?

donbosco

donbosco

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"...up until 2006, all undergraduates were required to pass a swim test in order to graduate? Well, the swim test was not unique to Carolina. It used to be a requirement at many colleges and universities across the country. But where did the requirement come from exactly?"


 
I did it my first day on campus. Three years and change later, when realizing i had done enough to take part time classes in my last semester and STILL graduate with a double major and move on to the real world I thought to myself "If I was smart enough back then, i would have never taken the swim class and I could eek out another 6 months of this lifestyle."
 
Nope, just flashed my lifeguard certification.

Oh, and I definitely recall the myth mentioned in the article!
 
Yes. 2004 was my freshman year and I took it then.

Somehow my wife, who also started in 2004, did not have to take it and swears she was told not to. I guess she just put it off and then the requirement was eliminated while we were in school.
 
altmin said:
I did it my first day on campus. Three years and change later, when realizing i had done enough to take part time classes in my last semester and STILL graduate with a double major and move on to the real world I thought to myself "If I was smart enough back then, i would have never taken the swim class and I could eek out another 6 months of this lifestyle."
Click to expand...
It’s a good thing you didn’t if it were that scary.
 
altmin said:
I did it my first day on campus. Three years and change later, when realizing i had done enough to take part time classes in my last semester and STILL graduate with a double major and move on to the real world I thought to myself "If I was smart enough back then, i would have never taken the swim class and I could eek out another 6 months of this lifestyle."
Click to expand...
I was in a similar boat - I almost accidentally graduated after 3.5 years. Luckily I was able to add a second major and do the full 4.
 
UNC class of '74 so yes I did as a freshman.
I remember one part included having to tread water for one minute (or maybe it was 2 minutes ? )
I'm not sure about the other part, but I think I had to swim a lap and back.
 
rodoheel said:
I was in a similar boat - I almost accidentally graduated after 3.5 years. Luckily I was able to add a second major and do the full 4.
Click to expand...
Literally days before graduation I got summoned to the office of the dean of the Journalism School saying I might not be able to graduate because i didn't seek permission to take a partial class load. Which was quickly followed by: "I guess we just write a letter to retroactively give you permission?"


oops.
 
I hate swimming so much. I can do it, I just hate it. So I waited until 1980, my 2nd semester senior year to pass. Brrrrrr
 
I only needed two classes to graduate by the end of my 8th semester. I realized that I wouldn't get my 'Athletic Card' if I only went part-time so I hustled to sign up for two more classes (history). Later I realized that I had basically double-majored (Poli Sci) had those two extra classes been thoughtfully chosen. I also took a PE almost every semester I was an undergrad...took tennis three times and after the first time I helped out the instructor. Also took soccer twice for the fun of it. Took swimming as well though I had passed the test earlier. Played a lot of Intramural Co-Ed Water Basketball (the only Championship I won!) so there was a goodly amount of time spent in the old indoor pool.
 
Yes, went the first week I was at UNC to get it out of the way. A group of high school friends went together.
 
Did it my senior year. The person who had to watch/verify my test was a girl who i had hooked up with freshman year and then awkwardly ignored... pretty sure she would have loved to fail me, but I can swim so no real chance there
 
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