18-year-old here, heavily considering a gap year. I've already got a job at a cybersecurity firm as a developer, and would continue working there. It's a start-up, so I've gotten to work on many different things and build skills in lots of different places. I've worked on projects to build skills throughout high school; I'd continue working on those. I'd have more time to focus on learning "real things" vs. padding my accomplishments for college admissions. Finally, I've got lots of non-profit work to continue. It sounds much more compelling than paying $75k/year for "zoom university".