Where do I start? Going back to school.

[tkav1980]

Background:
31 Years Old
Graduated high school in 1998
Decided not to take college seriously and dropped out with poor grades in 2000.
I'd like to pursue a career in Physics.
I'm not concerned with how long it will take, or how much work it will be at this stage in life, But I am curious as to weather or not retaking algebra, trig, geometry, Calculus and getting a few English courses/ electives out of the way at a community college will put me in a position to get into a reputable university?

It's been so long I really have no idea where to start.

 

[nsimmons]

I'm exactly the same. Same age, same circumstances (more or less). I took as many transferable credits as possible from a CC (58, max 60). I took all my electives and language classes. I also took some non transferable prep physics, chem courses as I forgot everything completely. I think I did around 75 credits total. I've transferred to a decent university's applied physics honours program. I had no problem getting in. Average transfer GPA was 3.2 and I had a 4.0 in physics.

Did all this over 4 years working 40+ hrs a week. Just plodding through 2-3 classes at a time. I am no longer working so I can focus on my upper level physics classes.

What I did was find the course sequence for the university program I wanted and matched up all the transferable classes at the CC. I had to start at the very beginning of the chem sequence (no pre-req's) and I was able to get an exemption to place directly in calc I, since my algebra was strong enough (self study).

 

[Bourbaki1123]

I'm going to continue to evangelize http://www.khanacademy.org/#browse" I think anyone who is trying to get a leg up in their undergraduate or high school (or heck, elementary or middle school) education should got check it out.