I will make the argument for actually going to school. Avoiding the liberal craziness is unavoidable, but you can write your way around it. I advocate school because you will write a lot of papers.
Writing so many papers is from the old institution of learning mindset. The more papers you write, the more you hone that skill. Additionally, as your writing improves your research skills follow suit. The goal from writing about a wide array of topics and refining your research skills is that when it comes to your major, you know how to confidently make your case.
I started back to school August of last year and have written over three dozen papers. At first, I was bewildered why I had to write all these damn papers. Once I figured out it was one of the few pieces of classical learning and why, things became easier.
Having to do papers on an array of topics really pushes you to improve. Having due dates and knowing you will receive a grade also pushes you. There is financial aid out there and community college can get you the writing skills.
oyc.yale.edu
www.classcentral.com
online.hillsdale.edu
