Finding time for the appalachian between highschool, college, and career?

ok so i've wanted to do the appalachian for some time now, but it seems like life is already planned out for me. i'm valedictorian in my junior cl, so scholarships shouldn't be hard to procure. however, i want to do the appalachian as soon as i graduate, but that would mean taking a year off before college. that means i can't stay on my mom's health insurance and i may have troubles with college admission. i would do it b/w college and career, but i think that would be even harder seeing as it might be another 8 years and at that point it would be hard to just not jump into a career. please don't give me any hike parts at a time answers, i've considered that. this is my dream and i don't like life planned for me. any thoughts on what i could do? thanx