To me it sounds as if you have solid and constructive plans for your gap year. I think that for many students a gap year would be a good thing, but only if they can come up with something worthwhile to do (which you have).
It also sounds as if you have learned something about college admissions. On CC, many of us older parents keep stressing the importance of doing you homework, and finding safety schools that you will be happy attending and which you can afford. It sounds to me like you have started in this effort as well.
Thanks for letting us know the status.
You might want to start a new thread where you repeat your stats (updated to your final high school stats), what state you are from, what your budget is, and what you are looking for in a school. Folks here on CC might be able to give you some ideas. With a 3.8 GPA (from another thread) the Ivy’s might be high reaches but there are lots of very good universities and colleges where you could do very well.