Three years ago, as part of a broad effort to raise academic standards in college sports, the NCAA adopted a controversial rule designed to make life difficult for athletes idling in the classroom. The measure--known as the 40-60-80 rule, or the "progress toward degree" requirement--mandates that, to remain eligible to compete, athletes must complete 40 percent of their degree requirements by the end of their second year in college, and an additional 20 percent each year thereafter. In the past, athletes had to meet lower standards--and as a result, academic officials say, some players filled their course schedules with electives, which contributed to poor graduation rates in some sports. This article reports the impact of the new rule on athletes' course selections and choices of major.