<p>I can't believe that there has been so little change in this issue.
I was a premed at Cornell in the early 1970's and faced the same choice.</p>
<p>The answer... which is the same now as it was then...</p>
<p>If there is a possibility that you want to get a PhD, or major in Physics or Chemistry, then you should consider 207.</p>
<p>Otherwise it's a no brainer. As a premed you take 101. 207 is a difficult, demanding intro course with physics and chemistry majors, and it will be very hard to get an A. In addition the lab is demanding and time consuming (and in my mind boring, unless you love physics) 101 is easy to get an A. To get into med school you need a high GPA. If you get a B or below in 207 it's going to hurt. The med school admission committees do not care at all if you take the premed physics... they'd rather see an A in that, because it contains all the material you need to know about physics for the MCAT's and for med school. </p>
<p>I started in 207 as a soph and dropped it. I took 101 and aced it without much effort. I never felt that I "missed out" by not completing 207. In fact I ended up taking Physical Chemistry as a grad student (got an MS in biochem before heading to Med School), and never had any problem with the physics.</p>
<p>so the correct decision is ...? 101 or 207?
lol, I think you should take whatever you want to take. The median grades for 101 and 207 are usually the same, though 207 is higher level. </p>
<p>I do have a question though. How much calculus do I need for 207? I only took differential calc before (Math 111) and don't know too much about integral calc (math 112= didn't take it, considering taking a stat class).</p>
<p>rds, although you took it in the 70s, I feel as though times have changed. The professors must have changed, and the professors have made the class easier and/or harder.
Right?</p>
<p>I wouldn't bank on him being wrong if I were you, unless these answers are different:</p>
<p>1) It it true that many prospective majors in Chemistry, Geology, Phd seekers in Biology, etc are more likely to be in 207? </p>
<p>2) Is it true that people who don't really care about Physics but have to take it, or take some science, will be in 101 but not 207?</p>
<p>3) Does 207 use calculus? Does 101 not use Calculus?</p>
<p>If all these answers are "yes" it is quite likely that 207 will be a far more challenging course, intellectually. Also, IMO far more intellectually rewarding if you know calculus.</p>
<p>However, if you do not feel that you are intellectually capable of learning what you are capable of learning, while competing successfully with the science-oriented types, then maybe you don't have what it takes to make it to med school anyway. Just a thought.</p>
<p>It's a shame to see such tactical thinking, of uncertain validity, towards some hypothetical end that may in any event not be achieved, ,trump one's actual efforts to get an education. In the end, you might wind up with neither.</p>
<p>Like I said. Take whatever you want to take,
...But .. . Just make sure you don't mistakenly take the TCAT instead of the MCAT, like one Cornell senior horrifyingly found out while on the drunk bus crusing past the gates of med school, who thought TCAT Route #45 is the perfect score (or just take Route 15 three times)!</p>