Chondromalacia-my story/advice

Hello, I am a 20 year old college student. I have been dealing with knee pain since I was 15. At 16 I recieved an arthoscopic plica removal. I was pain free for about 2 years. At 18, the pain began again and progressed, including progressing clicking/grinding. I got an x-ray that was normal and was told it was just patellofemoral pain syndrome and to strengthen my Quads. I went to a college that was built on a hill, which did not help the pain. I was relying on pain meds a lot of the time to function well and avoiding activities I used to do no problem. Last summer I went back in and got a MRI. It showed high-grade chondromalacia of the lateral patellar facet and mild quad tedninopathy. I had a lateral release surgery and a cartilage sample was taken at the same time. After a decently rough recovery, I had no pain for about a month. Now, the pain from before surgery has returned, as well as some clicking. Now as well as dealing with pain, I have some weakness from after surgery. I am starting pharmacy school in the fall and am unsure of what I should do next. The next step surgery would be MACI or OATS, both of which have long recoveries. I am not sure about recovering from a surgery while at school. However, I am not sure if waiting 4-5 years until school is done is a good idea either. There is also the option for PRP injections, which are not guaranteed to help and not covered by insurance. Does anyone have any experience with anything similar? Anyone advice on waiting for surgery or having it while in college? What surgery would you recommend? Any other tips? Thank you!

TL;DR: 20 year old college student with high grade chondromalacia. Had lateral release surgery but pain has returned. Advice on MACI/OATS surgery during school or waiting?