It's important to keep in mind that it is quite likely that for most of the Thiel Fellows, there is not much "cost" associated with college. Give the high-achieving student, immigrant family skew of the fellows, it's quite likely that most of the fellows would get scholarships or would have parents who would pay for college if they attend.
If each fellow had to pay $150-250k for college, I bet not a single Fellow would entertain the idea of going to college.
Personally, I took a gap year before college but eventually decided to return to college afterwards, knowing that I would be able to get a $100+k dev salary in the Bay Area if I chose to forgo college. Part of that decision was driven by the fact that my parents would pay for college (and then some).
On a broader note, taking just one year off gave me a ton of perspective on what I wanted to do in life, my priorities, and on the value of college. Everyone should take time off.
If each fellow had to pay $150-250k for college, I bet not a single Fellow would entertain the idea of going to college.
Personally, I took a gap year before college but eventually decided to return to college afterwards, knowing that I would be able to get a $100+k dev salary in the Bay Area if I chose to forgo college. Part of that decision was driven by the fact that my parents would pay for college (and then some).
On a broader note, taking just one year off gave me a ton of perspective on what I wanted to do in life, my priorities, and on the value of college. Everyone should take time off.