<p>I come at this from a law school background (decades ago!), so take this for what it is worth.</p>
<p>Me, I’d shoot the whole wad on undergrad education if that is what it took to get what I wanted in a college. Who knows? Maybe parents will pop for some more money if you do well at a great school and get admitted to a great grad school. You can always work after college, work during grad school, take loans, whatever.</p>
<p>As for the gap year . . . nah. You’ve worked hard in high school. Go to the college of your dreams (whatever that is) right now on your parents’ nickel and enjoy yourself!</p>