[tuhins]

If you are intelligent, have opinions and can justify your opinions, most people will take you seriously. Whether its a mistake or not depends on you. Are you completely set on working in tech? College for most is a time for exploration and you will miss out on this. Also, not having a degree precludes you from many careers outside of tech (investment banking, consulting, professional careers in law, medicine, etc). That being said, if required, you can always go back to school later.