Is it bad to take a gap year before college?

Taking a year off can be a great idea. I am taking a year off to do just what you are doing. One potential danger of doing this is that if you're not in school, it can be hard to go back. Do you have any community colleges in your area? It can be helpful to take some general ed. credits--that way you can apply as a transfer and transfer those credits to the school of your choice. Already being in college (like if you went to a CC), well, helps you get into other colleges. Also, taking cles will help ease the transition better than if you just took a year off and then started again. Good luck!