I want to become a chemist

I want to become a chemist. Teach chemistry in schools? Could I go to a school for this with a GED?

Originally Posted by NYdeadhead1993

I want to become a chemist. Teach chemistry in schools? Could I go to a school for this with a GED?

Depends on how old you are, and what you can score on the SAT.

If you have a good SAT score you will probably be able to, even if not at the world's greatest school.

If you have yet to drop out and get a GED and that's why you're asking, no, you really can't, it's always much better to have the real thing, I've known more than one individual with a GED to go back to high school much later in life, to get that diploma.

If you dropped out a long time ago, it's much easier than if you just did a month/year/3/5 ago. College will want your HS transcript, and to see that you can finish what you start and do the work to make good grades....... But SAT is the really important part unless you're trying to go to a super snobby university of the type that wants your facebook and twitter along with your list of published works for undergrad applications.

Thank you, I definetly think I need to return to high school. And get that diPloma. I didn't drop out, I got arrested and had to move back to NY so I was taken out of school. I planned on graduating in may and everything. Go to college soon after. I was talking to guidance counselOr about the SAT. I just want to get my degree and get a job being a chemist. Science amazes me especially the fact that a receptor in the brain can be altered by certain chemicals.

Originally Posted by NYdeadhead1993

Thank you, I definetly think I need to return to high school. And get that diPloma. I didn't drop out, I got arrested and had to move back to NY so I was taken out of school. I planned on graduating in may and everything. Go to college soon after. I was talking to guidance counselOr about the SAT. I just want to get my degree and get a job being a chemist. Science amazes me especially the fact that a receptor in the brain can be altered by certain chemicals.

Then it shouldn't be hard for you to get back into school and get a diploma.

Depending on your age, you may end up paying or something though, I don't know.

The thing is, in Pennsylvania the credit system is different than new York. You need 26 credits to graduate, in NY 44. However, you get credit for a year course in pA, in NY you get a credit each half semester. I literally needed one credit to graduate and a math and science credit. I'm only 18.

Many community colleges offers an associates in chemistry, and also accept GED or diploma. Once you get that assocaites the diploma means nothing, you are beyond that. Might be something to consider since you could easily transfer to a 4 year school at some point plus pay lower tuition for a few years. It matters where you graduate from, not where you started.

Teaching chemistry would involve certification in secondary education, which is middle and high school.

Originally Posted by NYdeadhead1993

Thank you, I definetly think I need to return to high school. And get that diPloma. I didn't drop out, I got arrested and had to move back to NY so I was taken out of school. I planned on graduating in may and everything. Go to college soon after. I was talking to guidance counselOr about the SAT. I just want to get my degree and get a job being a chemist. Science amazes me especially the fact that a receptor in the brain can be altered by certain chemicals.

What do you mean chemist? I have a chemistry degree but very few people would call themselves a 'chemist' anymore if they taught, worked or researched in chemistry. A 'chemist' in most countries is termed a pharmacist who dispense drugs, researchers in chemistry are whatever their title is - postdoc, lecturer, professor. There are industrial positions in chemistry but I doubt they would call themselves chemists either, since they are usually involved with either R&D or the business side of things.

Also chemists don't really deal with receptors at all. That's pharmacology or medical science so if you're interested in receptors you should do that.

You don't have a hidden agenda like most of the people who say they want to do chemistry here DO YOU?

Originally Posted by NYdeadhead1993

I want to become a chemist. Teach chemistry in schools? Could I go to a school for this with a GED?

You should be able to go to the local college in your area and start from there. They will likely have a test to see what upgrading you will need to get into the sciences you want. It will likely be a long process, but if you have the smarts, and the motivation, anyone can become a teacher.

I don't have a hidden agenda. I want to work with chemicals and be able to make LSD for research and development. I just need to learn. I guess a pharmacologist would be best route for my agenda?