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Is there anyway to get your job back, or find another one, even if its low paying and part time? Two years without an income seems...not ideal. Unless you have a wealthy family/SO willing to pay for you these next two years while you study and apply and do nothing else.

As for the LSAT itself, this is such a difficult thing to come to a decision on because its very much based on yourself and your ceiling for the test. You've taken two so far and have not really seen big gains. Yes, you PTed at 170-172 but it's pretty normal to see your score decrease in the actual test for obvious reasons, like test anxiety, etc. Like you said, what's to say something else doesn't trip you up, or there is a particularly difficult passage, logic game, etc.

With that said, I think people that apply should do so putting in their best effort, if you would regret not waiting and think you could see a potential major difference in your score, than so be it. However, and I know a lot of TLS won't agree with me, with a test like the LSAT its so easy to hit a ceiling and not be able to move forward with seeing anymore big gains. The thing is, we don't know if you are an outlier or someone that has potentially already hit your ceiling.

Call your boss right now and tell them your situation. You don't want to be stuck without a job, but you also want to be upfront and honest with them about what you're planning.

Next, decide for yourself if you are willing to commit to a year away from law school so that your future opportunities will be bigger and debt will be lower. If the answer is yes, then withdraw your applications. If the answer is no, then pick the best option out of the schools you have been accepted to.

Withdraw from this year's cycle, sit out next year's cycle, and then retake and try again. Law school will still be there in two years.

if your goal is nonprofit work, id probably plow through and get on with it. you used your takes. your gpa is set. and you dont have a job. nonprofit work will be there at top regionals. the "crushing debt" will be PSLFed away.

the flip side of waiting 2 years sounds kind of burdensome in your situation. you shouldnt feel pressured at all to go now if you dont want to, but this almost reads like youre getting cold feet on a decision youve already planned for and thought out and now are just getting cold feet when about to execute - which happens a lot.

take a few days to think on it. it is true that law school will always be there - but if youre sure you want to go, i dont really see the point in waiting 2 years for slightly less debt (maybe) and the possibility at a better school. none of those are givens.

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OP, are you mentally prepared to take 2 years off and not get the result you're hoping for? If you have scholarship offers in hand, and can make things work financially, it may make sense to just plow through.

I also think it's somewhat unhealthy to be motivated by seeing others around you get into T14 with money. Not everyone will get there, myself included. While it's obviously smart in this economy to plan things out and take a debt-adverse approach, I'd caution you to really think things over before you withdraw.

If you go for it though, good luck and I hope you crush it!