Hi–so you would be considered a nontraditional student, probably, because of the gap time you took before college. There’s nothing wrong with that and I commend you on taking time to work and to support yourself. Well done!
Paying for college will be an issue. I know you are independent but unless you’re independently wealthy or a relative has set up a 529 fund for your education (or something similar) you will need to fill out the FAFSA and the supplementary forms for colleges. Your parents are required to sign the forms until you’re about age 23. At that time you’re considered independent.
FAFSA website has all of the info you need about who is considered independent. Were you homeless as a teen? That can qualify. There are other things. If you’re independent then only your income is considered for FA.
Public colleges with rare exception will have core requirements. Some private colleges have few or none.
Some private colleges welcome with open arms students who have held jobs or done other gap things because it adds diversity to the class. You will not be penalized for this and it could be a plus.
Schools with no or few core requirements include:
- U of Rochester
- Hamilton College
- Vassar
- Hampshire
- Wesleyan University in CT
- Sarah Lawrence
- Brown
- Amhers
- Grinnell
- NYU Gallatin
- Smith
- Wake Forest
There may be others.
You should also be aware that some schools have special programs for students who start school very late. Yale has the Eli program. Brown has a program. There are others. It’s worth googling around for them. Those programs start at abut age 26 and they cost nothing or close to nothing.
Harvard Extension is a program where you take 3 courses and then request admissin for the degree program. You pay by the class and end up with a Harvard degree. As you’re very independent, and as the program may allow you to take courses that you choose, this might suit you very well. https://www.extension.harvard.edu/