MIT requires every student to know how to swim. But why?

For decades, incoming students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have faced a unique rite of passage: proving they can swim. While the image of students leaping into the Charles River to demonstrate their aquatic skills is a campus legend—and untrue—MIT continues to require all undergraduates to demonstrate swimming proficiency, either through a test or by completing a swim course.

A Tradition Rooted in History

The requirement isn’t unique to MIT. Cornell University first mandated swimming in 1905, and for years, many American colleges followed suit. However, MIT now stands as one of the few remaining institutions to uphold the tradition. The practice at MIT began during World War II, coinciding with a period when many colleges saw swimming proficiency as a vital skill, potentially linked to concerns about drowning rates among service members.

Did You Know? Cornell University was the first college in the United States to require swimming for graduation, beginning in 1905.

A Life Skill in a Changing Landscape

Today, MIT administrators maintain the swim requirement because they believe swimming is an important life skill. Carrie Sampson Moore, the university’s director of physical education and wellness, explained that some students may not have had the opportunity to learn to swim due to time constraints or limited access. “All of our students…are going to be leaders of something,” she said, suggesting that swimming proficiency could be valuable in unforeseen circumstances.

However, the requirement has faced scrutiny. Several schools, including Notre Dame, Dartmouth, Hamilton, the University of Chicago, and Williams College, have recently eliminated their swim tests. At Williams College, a review revealed that nearly all students placed in swim classes were students of color or international students, raising concerns about equity.

Navigating the Requirement

MIT students can fulfill the requirement by passing a 100-yard swim test—where, according to Sampson Moore, “There’s no style points”—or by taking a swim course. Alexis Boykin, an MIT graduate from Dayton, Ohio, initially struggled with the test during orientation but ultimately completed a swim course in her senior year to meet the graduation requirement. She now believes the requirement is worthwhile.

Expert Insight: The persistence of the swim test at MIT, despite a broader trend toward its elimination, highlights the ongoing debate about the role of physical requirements in higher education and the balance between promoting practical skills and ensuring equitable access for all students.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did MIT begin requiring students to pass a swim test?

MIT began requiring students to demonstrate swimming ability during World War II.

What are the options for fulfilling the swim requirement?

Students can either pass a 100-yard swim test or complete a swim course.

Has the swim test always been a requirement at other universities?

No, swim tests were once common at American colleges, but many have dropped the requirement due to equity or practical concerns.

As other institutions reconsider the value of such requirements, it remains to be seen whether MIT will continue to uphold its long-standing tradition.