How do colleges view a gap year?

Answered

Colleges will view gap years much the same way they'll view anything else in your application—they'll judge how you used the time that you made for yourself, how you grew during it, and what you might have learned or built in terms of skills that could help you in your area of study. To be honest, gap years are increasingly popular among students with the means to take them, and as long as there's a cohesive plan for that time (whether that be working, pursuing a hobby in a tangible way, traveling, interning, or some combination of those), colleges definitely won't view that time negatively. The important thing is to have something to show for your gap year for when you apply to college.

The other strategy though, is to apply for college normally as a senior (I'm not sure what year you are, so if you're currently a senior this isn't relevant, but if you're a junior or lower it would be), and then defer your admission for a year. Usually you can apply, decide on a school, commit to that school, and then ask them if you can start a year later because you'd like to pursue a gap year. They'll ask you for your plans, but typically most schools will support that wish by allowing you to push yourself back into the next admitted class. This is usually an easier strategy as well, because it doesn't require you to apply to colleges in the middle of your gap year when it's harder to coordinate with potential recommenders, teachers, and counselors.