His evidence that gap years aren't elitist is:
The idea that gap years are inherently elitist may be due to the potentially high cost of travel and of independent programs, which offer a structured experience — typically of adventure, service and more or less education — that can cost upward of $20,000. But that criticism cuts against the realities most students already face — that is, average in-state tuition and fees of $8,940, or $28,308 at private colleges, according to the College Board. When factoring in room, board and other expenses, this would mean spending about $100,000 over five years at public colleges and more than double that at private ones.
"See, college is expensive anyway, what's a little more debt gonna hurt?"
Well, that's easy to say when your parents can shell out $50k to go to college. It's obvious the guy has gained some perspective and its great to see, but he's still talking like a rich person who doesn't know what it's like to not only not have money but to have a family that doesn't have a lot of money. It's bordering on Romney's "just borrow $20k from your parents and start a company!". What about when your parents are borrowing from you?
His end point seems to be that gap years seem to reduce drinking or other goofiness in college. Why not instead of adding a gap year to the already ridiculous nature of today's college, get rid of the bloat which makes it so that you have to spend $50k to go to a 4 year summer camp?