How Good a Swimmer Do You Need to Be for an Ivy League School?

The question of whether you need to be an exceptional swimmer to get into an Ivy League school can be confusing. While swimming is not typically a requirement for admission to these top American universities, a swim test can be mandatory for graduation at some of them.

Interpreting the Question

Your query can be understood in two different contexts:

Option A: You are a competitive swimmer and are curious about how good you need to be to be recruited and receive preferential admissions consideration at an Ivy League school. Option B: You are not a good swimmer and have heard that Ivy League schools require a swimming test. You are asking how good a swimmer you need to be to pass this test.

Given that most answers focus on Option A, I will address Option B, which is the focus of this article.

Swimming and Ivy League Schools

It is important to note that Ivy League schools, renowned for their academic excellence, are located on dry land. They do not require any swimming skills for admission. Instead, the focus is on your academic performance, test scores, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated leadership and service.

Ivy League schools do not offer athletic scholarships, which means that even if you are an excellent swimmer, your swimming skills will not directly impact your chances of being admitted.

While there are no swimming prerequisites for admission to Ivy League schools, some institutions do require a swimming test for graduation. Let's explore these requirements further.

Swimming Requirements for Graduation at Ivy League Schools

Currently, only two Ivy League schools, Cornell and Columbia, require a swim test for graduation. These tests are typically not conducted for admission. The swim test is generally designed to ensure that students can navigate the pool safely and are capable of performing basic swimming skills.

Here is a breakdown of the swim test requirements at different institutions:

Cornell: Requires students to pass a swim test that involves treading water for 10 minutes and swimming two laps of the pool without time limits. Columbia: Similar to Cornell, but details can vary slightly from year to year. Generally, requirements include treading water for 10 minutes and swimming two laps of the pool. Dartmouth: No longer requires a swim test as of several years ago. MIT, William Mary, and Swarthmore: Require a swim test, but note that these schools offer exceptions for students with disabilities and generally accept completion of a swimming PE class as a substitute. Notre Dame and the University of Chicago: Recently dropped their swim test requirements.

It is noteworthy that while MIT requires swimming skills, it does not award scholarships for it. MIT's swim test also includes being tested on sailing, fencing, pistol, and archery PE classes, which are much rarer requirements. Historically, MIT has given out only one honorary Pirate Certificate to an alumnus.

Key Takeaways

Swimming is not a requirement for admission to Ivy League schools. For graduation, certain Ivy League schools do require a swim test, but the requirements are generally not stringent. Most Ivy League schools accept a swimming PE class as a substitute for the swim test.

In conclusion, while swimming can be a valuable life skill and an excellent form of physical activity, it does not significantly affect your chances of being admitted to an Ivy League school. The focus remains on academic and extracurricular achievements, leadership, and service.