I think all we can do is express how things have been for us and let you make your own educated decision. Everyone has presented very legitimate points here. I think the biggest one is- what comes after high school? There are so many unknowns…
I got my first B (oooh, I love saying that! My "first" one!) my junior year of college. I had an older boyfriend and his parents actually gave him the money for us to pick out a dog for his birthday. We had done the breed search on Yahoo that matches your lifestyle and dog trait desires with the breed that most closely matches those. I think a B also won the Eukanuba dog show that year which enticed us even more- anyways, after visiting many breeders in a tremendous number of states, we found our little Lexi.
My dog history: I had grown up with a family mutt- a shepherd/chow mix but she was not really my responsibility. She was big and stinky and could usually be found lying in the window barking at neighborhood dogs. I loved her but I knew I wanted a clean dog who was a manageable size. I volunteered at the Humane Society during high school. My mom let me foster dogs for a week at a time in between adoption days. I loved it even though they pooped EVERYWHERE! On other family notes: My older sister had gotten a dog with her boyfriend when in college and after they broke up, she dated another guy - who did not get along with the dog. That dog ended up with my parents because she ended up marrying the guy. My little sister worked at a vet during high school and she ended up rescuing a dachshund- when she went to college, the dog stayed with my parents. My parents loved the dogs but still felt like they got dumped with pets. You should consider whether you would ever leave your dog behind with your family for any reason- and talk to them about the different possibilities.
Back to the college story...
I was never really a party girl in college so I didn't mind staying home when my friends went out. The puppy stayed at my bfriend of the time's place since the apt I lived in did not allow dogs. We got her in June and I had a light course load that summer. I took her to the dog park for 4 hours almost every day and looked after her almost exclusively. My bfriend paid for all the vet bills- I was just a poor student living on student loans. I would not have survived her expenses alone. Something to consider.
I ended up breaking up with my bfriend after a couple of years- Lexi hated him anyways. Dogs are smarter than we are, remember that. 
They are a good judge of character.
On a note (not so funny then, but I laugh at it now)-- we'll call the ex "T" ... T had just taken Lexi out to go to the bathroom one night. He came back in and brought a load of hot laundry up to the bedroom to fold and put away. He dumped the laundry basket on the bed and turned to put the basket on the floor when Lexi jumped up on the bed, climbed onto the pile of laundry, looked T straight in the eyes and pee'd on the clothes! "This is what I think of you!" was written all over her face. T was furious! He could see the intelligent sneer in her eye and he lunged towards her, grabbing her by the neck. OMG, I thought! He's gonna kill her! (not really, but boy, was he mad!) It all happened so fast... So he grabs her and she takes a CHUNK out of his arm. And I'm talking a chunk- not a scratch, not just a bite, he had a chunk of skin missing from his arm. You would never have thought this precious little puppy could have done so much damage- and so quickly...That's the only time Lexi has ever bitten anyone. She immediately ran over and stood behind me. This was one of the vivid moments of truth in our relationship... when your dog says, hey, mom... this guy's not worth a piss!
And then came the fight over the dog. Tears and tears I cried as he would not let me see her. This was his way of getting back at me for dumping him. Finally he did one night. I sobbed on the stairs, begging him to let me keep her. She came and sat in my lap and started licking the tears off my face. I think it's then he realized how bonded we were. In this sense, I'm glad I had Lexi as a puppy. We have an incredible bond- a bond that is very deep-- especially in that she trusts me with her safety. (this is hard to explain, but I don't feel like I have that bond with Miles (yet), our adult rescue of 1 year) I of course ended up with Lexi in the end. And she's been with me for 7 years. But there are all sorts of things you won't expect to happen-- break ups, the "what next?'s" ... I ended up moving in with a girl to an apt complex. After I "won" Lexi in the breakup, I had her at my new apt and got a nice note on my door from the management... The $500 in pet fees were due immediately since they had noticed my cute little addition. I was also now responsible for all her vet bills and other costs. With this, I'm saying you should be able to handle unexpected situations and have an idea about whether you'd be able to sustain your relationship with your dog if something crazy comes up.
Looking back...
I lived on campus my first semester of college- and if you have the chance, I recommend it. I don't think it would have been as much fun if I had a dog then. It commits you to the dog and you can't have the true "freshman" experience without the opportunity costs. I definitely think it's better to wait, especially if you're uncertain-- do the independent things you want to do in life first. Then get "tied" down with a dog. Once you do it, you can't (shouldn't) go back. (I think of it like having kids. It's a done deal.)
You know, I asked my mother in law the other day why she didn't adopt a basenji-- she LOVES my dogs and always watches them when we travel. She calls them her grandbabies. She said, "They're too dependent. I enjoy being able to come and go and not worry about how long I've been away from the house." And it was a very good point she made.
I love my "kids" to death. And I take them as many places with me as I can. But they DO limit what you can do- in certain circumstances. You ALWAYS have to consider them- in every respect. We have moved away from my family now... so if we want to visit them, it's either a 14 hour car ride or an expensive plane ticket. And my kids are too big for planes so it's an expensive boarding if my mother in law can't watch them. Limitations to consider...
Let's be honest: They are expensive. Any dog is expensive. But you will want to pamper your B. Believe me!! 
And Basenji's are physically and mentally demanding- they like attention and exercise. (dogs are in general, but especially B's) Are you ready to make and keep your commitment to them? Think of it as a marriage–
I, (name), take you, (Basenji), to be my pooch, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad regardless of the obstacles we may face together, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you till death do us part.
OMG, I'm totally married to my dogs.
I'll stop rambling now...
