Gap is worth it. You will prob learn more from that than anything else academic, IMHO.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/preparing-college/should-i-take-time
Nearly universal assessment (from people who have studied this and from everything I personally know) is that taking time before college results in a more mature person, more well rounded, more academically prepared to strive–even if you do no academics. I would say ESPECIALLY if you do no academics. Give your mind and body a rest. Discover what life is actually like, beyond academics.
I strongly advise not doing an expensive gap year program, but doing it the old fashioned way of –
- developing your own project
- finding a local job
- finding a job away
- volunteering at home or away
Here are some resources–
Student Conservation Association (at 18 or a recent grad you can still be in the high school crews)
Volunteer.gov
workaway.info
any of your local non-profit agencies, government entities, charities, or local businesses