At 18 I joined the Air Force got my training, I dreamed about flying and it was my only option since I had no money and my dad would not pay for a pilot training, I have 8 type rating, flown 25 different aircraft models and I have a 19 year old boy. He will definitely not be pilot as per his own choice, cause he saw over the years all the difficulties I had to go through to get a decent salary, today I am finishing my career on a airbus 320 as a Captain and I can tell you what I would do if I was young again, , go to University first and work hard, you are young and capable of anything just believe in yourself, today being a pilot is not what it used to be, you will have a much better life and will thank me in 30 to 40 years from now if im still alive
University is the path to a really happy life, not flying. At first it seems exciting to fly but in a few years the odds are good that you will regret your choice and it will be too late to go to University.. University first and flying later for fun, or even MAYBE career, is the best choice. All the best to you kid.