<p>I would also think about taking a year off- and volunteering with Americorps maybe with the cityyear program which is quite structured.
The stipend you will receive will not be quite enough to pay for room and board on your own, but they will help find housing to share.
You will also receive an education award at the end of your term of service, but more importantly you will have been exposed to different careers- mentors and worked on skills that will serve you well in college and on the job.
[City</a> Year](<a href=“http://www.cityyear.org/index_ektid13309.aspx]City”>http://www.cityyear.org/index_ektid13309.aspx)</p>
<p>Both of my daughters took a year off before college- one with CityYear, the other put a gap year together herself.</p>