I'm trying to figure out a good plan on doing this program. It's pretty competitive to get into (half of people that apply for it get in), and I have some things against me, but I have some for me too. I've taken the prerequisites a loooong time ago, but I did well (B+ in honors biology w/lab, A in gen chem I w/lab, and they only want intro to algebra but I've been in three calc courses although I withdrew from one, but got As/Bs in the others). And then there's the fact I've been doing jack the past 8 years and having to try and figure out a way to explain that along with my criminal background. Not sure if someone "older" than the average person going into school and a woman going into STEM will help or hinder though.

The guy I talked to said doing the courses required during the program before being accepted into the program will increase my chances of getting in, so I'm doing some digging to see if I can "join a program" that has those courses at a closer CC/online (getting into the program so I can be a proper student getting financial aid and such) to switch if/when I get admitted.

It's easy to get overwhelmed and confused (no one has taught me anything on smoothly getting into and paying for school), but I know I'm going to figure it out.