Not all of us are officers making big bank. I am enlisted and making a lot closer to typical PD pay. With my retirement I should be fairly comfortable.
As I have gotten older 2 or 3 years doesn't seem as long as it used to and it means I won't have any regrets about my GPA. I will have everything ready, without the risk that a kid right out of college is going to have to take. Honestly, I think most law students would do well to start preparing that soon.