Look inside~~~

I had similar experience. My OPT was experied in August and my H-1 started on Oct. 1st this year. Fortunately, I don't have to leave the country becase we have a 90-day grace period. I was just on leave for two month and came back to the company in Oct.

In you case, first of all, to correct one thing -- You can apply your H-1 visa (2006) starting April next year, not Oct.

Second of all, you can't work during Feb to Sept 30. You really need to go back to school to remain your status. Find a community college, it should be cheaper.

Last, just FYI, did you communicate your situation to the company that intend to hire you? Do they know you can't work for 8 months? I think it's important for them to know this situation, sometimes they have a better solution. If your company has global business, the best thing for them to do is send you overseas to their international offices. That was my first option my company offered me, but I really want to take a break so I chose to be on leave. You can talk to your company, as long as not sending you to their China offices (our legal department suggested me not going back to China, they all know the difficulites of getting a visa from China). So, go to school and work overseas is two ways to solve your problem.

Hopefully my message helps. Good luck!