College....

or you could pick a college in a city that excites you and would provide ample opportunity to explore whatever floats your boat.

I always wished I went to NYU, myself...living in nyc would be so amazing

 

I haven't read any of the replies...

First of all you will be an adult which means you make your own choices and you are responsible for your behavior. Your parents obviously want the best for you.

Discovering yourself can happen in many ways. Often continuing your education can have this effect, as well as giving you a back-up plan in case you don't turn into the "walking corpse" that you think college educated people are.

Also, did you ever think of compromise? You can still go to school and do all of the communist shit you want to do on your days off or on your vacations.

without skills or an education you'll either be a bum or you will be someone's bitch for the rest of your life.

 

A young bull and an old bull are sitting on top of a hill. The young bull says "Let's run down this hill and fuck us one of those cows." The old bull responds "Let's walk down and fuck them all".

You'll have your whole life to think about philosophy and travel. You might only get one shot to go to college. Don't waste it.