The key thing for you is to get into calculus as quickly as possible. I started college at 25, and I was basically in the same situation. I placed right into college level English, so that wasn’t an issue for me. But I placed into Algebra 1. I’m majoring in physics, so this was clearly a problem. I took that class, and then over break before Spring semester I self-studied the stuff from Algebra 2 and geometry, and then retook the placement test and placed into College Algebra. Then I took trig over the summer, and started calculus the following fall. Then I took calculus 2, then differential equations and linear algebra, and now I’m in calculus 3. I’m in my last semester at community college. When I’m done, I will have spent 3 years here. I originally only wanted to be at CC for two years, but it simply didn’t work out that way. I’ve made the best of my time at CC though. I’ve gotten a lot of extra requirements done here, which is going to allow me to more easily do the double major in physics and math that I’d really like to do.
I’m transferring to UIUC in the fall, which is ranked in the top 10 for schools in my major. Acceptances haven’t been released for Fall 2015 yet, but I’m basically 99.9% sure that I’ll be accepted. Hopefully I find out soon.
I think taking the mini-semester courses is a good option to consider. However, that’s a significant time dedication. If it overlaps with other classes that you need, it’s not so appealing.
I think you have your sequences a little messed up though. One doesn’t take college algebra, and then pre-calculus algebra. The typical math sequence usually takes one of these two forms:
Option 1 -
Algebra I
Algebra II
Geometry
College Algebra
Trigonometry
Calculus I
Calculus II
etc.
Option 2 -
Algebra I
Algebra II
Geometry
Pre-Calculus - Includes aspects of both College Algebra and Trigonometry, but with less depth in each
Calculus I
Calculus II
etc.
If you’re doing computer science, you are far better off with option 1. You’ll need to continue in math at least through the calculus sequence, and having a solid background in both algebra and trig is crucial.
If I were in your situation I’d take College Algebra over the summer, and then Trigonometry in the fall. That will prepare you to take Calculus I next spring. If you’ve taken at least calc 1, it will put you in a much better position to transfer. However, if you’re transferring as a junior, many schools will expect a CS major to have completed the calculus sequence already. This is going to vary from school to school though. I applied to transfer for Fall 2014 to UIUC, and I was denied because I had too many credits to qualify as a sophomore transfer, and because I was missing some prerequisites to qualify as a junior transfer. These prerequisites were calc 3, physics 2, and physics 3. I was denied and ended up staying at my CC for this year. I applied to UIUC again for the Fall 2015 semester. I haven’t heard back yet, but I’ve completed these prerequisites now, and I’m confident that I’ll be accepted. Look at the schools and see what they specifically require for transfer admissions. If you need to you can call someone in admissions at the schools in which you are interested.