Becks,
B2N2 is right. Fly first and then join a frat. Imagine all the fun you'd have with the college chicks a mile up? You'll have the best summer job of all your friends.
You can save a bundle of cash by going to another ICAO (intl civil aviation org) country and then convert your licences with a few tests into American FAA licences afterwards. Get some great travelling too.
New Zealand:
www.flighttraining.co.nz South Africa:
www.43airschool.com Australia:
www.aac.com.au/ (This particular school in Oz is a LOT more expensive than the ones I've mentioned in NZ and SA.)
Go to
www.xe.com to convert into $US.
Hope this helps.
CuJo