[sargstuff]

Post-degree plans are to stay in academia or non-academia work? (degree focus on theory vs. applied theory)

Know what concentration are going to do in graduate school?

If yes, then making sure undergraduate degree program aligns with anticipated graduate degree. aka not distracted / incure extra expense taking 'extra' classes to 'get up to speed' on background for graduate classes. example: CS undergraduate degree not heavy in math, but anticipated CS graduate degree is very heavy on math background. (database engineering - CMU vs. CT (computed tomography) software - MIT)

Community college to university would be one approach to earning credits while figuring out what aspect of CS interested in pursing a graduate/undergraduate degree.

[throw_away101]

Non-academia. AI->ML. I can do math-heavy work. Part of my school curriculum right now, involves a lot of courses that I'll get credits for in college. These classes are a bit tough, but maths is usuallythe subject I enjoy the most while studying.

[sargstuff]

Perhaps trying some of the on-line open courses at universities of interest to size up offerings relative to interest. Would like to say figure out 'challenge level' but, introductory / lead in courses tend to be more get up to speed in given area. aka jumping in to deep end of pool or 1ft wading area.