<p>On the 4A website, it says you need high school chemistry and calculus, so that probably means something like AP chemistry. If you’re worried about not being prepared, and you don’t think self-studying would be enough, then I don’t see how taking a community college class would hurt your chances for anything. I think the only issue is when you take one of your major classes at a community college. As long as you take the intro series at Berkeley (in your case, 4A/B, which you’re planning to do), then there shouldn’t be an issue.</p>
<p>Why would it hurt your chances at grad school?</p>