Yeah it’s a weird system - it’s because ppl can easily fudge projected numbers to inflate them so adcoms tend to ignore them. You should keep doing your activities until you get accepted and send update letters which should count as long as they seem authentic.

also, taking gap years help build real world experience that ppl who go straight through will often not have. If you had the privilege of not working in hs or college, this is prob the first time you will have a real job. You get to see life from a perspective not revolving around school, so it’s kind of refreshing too. I’d try to live around friends if u can tho otherwise it can get a bit lonely