I want to major in chemistry for CSU schools like Fullerton, Los Anglese, Northridge , and San Jose state, but when I took chemistry in my high school, I got a C for both semesters . Should this affect my chances? I am also going to take SAT II for chemistry.
See what you get for SAT II. Is Chemistry your favorite subject? Why do you want to major in it?
CSUs calculate an overall eligibility index from your GPA and test scores and admit by that, so specific (passing) grades are not really considered. SAT subject tests are not included.
Calculation: https://secure.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/eligibility_index.asp
SJSU thresholds by major: http://info.sjsu.edu/static/admission/impaction.html
Of course, if you passed with C grades in high school chemistry, you should be aware that chemistry in college will be more difficult.
Well I’m planning to major in Chem because I’m planning to apply for pharmacy school.
Pharmacy School is extremely heavy in Chemistry (General Chemistry I&II, Organic, Inorganic, etc.), Biochemistry, etc. Getting Cs in High School Chemistry might suggest that Pharmacy might not be a good fit for you. What is your GPA and SAT/ACT scores? I would suggest you take an Introductory chemistry class at your local Community College while still in high school (dual enrollment) to see what your performance on this college course would be.
Below is a link to the Doctor of Pharmacy Curriculum at the University of Florida. Most Pharmacy programs follow similar blueprint. Pharmacy programs are very intense and Chemistry/Biology centered. If you are weak at this stage, you can turn things around by study chemistry on your own to make up for any deficiencies.
http://pharmacy.ufl.edu/education/student-affairs/doctor-of-pharmacy-curriculum/
If you struggled with Chemistry at the high school level chances are you will get killed by it at the university level. I taught gen chem as a TA and the folks who scored lower on the placement test and had to take preparatory chem before gen chem usually still got killed in gen chem. You are going to have to really struggle and probably get a tutors and such if you have your heart set on pharmacy.
Question, is a bachelor of science in chemistry with an American Chemical Society (ACS) accreditation mean anything as far as jobs in the field or is it pretty much the same in prospects as a chemistry major not accredited by the ACS?
ACS accredation usually indicates it is a reputable program. Outside of academia and government jobs I doubt most employers will care as long as the college is accredited and reputable ie not one of those for-profit scam schools.
I’ve never been asked if my degree was from an ACS accredited program though federal jobs will ask for your transcripts and may be more formal about it.
Hmm… so it sounds it’ll just be a good idea to major in chemical engineering over chemistry. I heard for most science careers you usually need a Ph.D to even work in most of the fields. Aren’t people who like science usually encouraged to either become an engineer or work in healthcare fields?