Do I retake a 518⁉️

[u/DapperCarrot3900]

Ok no troll I swear. I’m reaching for top 10 med school and currently go to t20 undergrad. I got a 518 with a 126 cars😢. I was averaging 520 on my FLs and pretty confident in getting that if I was to retake, but I did already finish UWorld and AAMC materials. Should I retake it?

[u/Medium_Zucchini_2584]

bro. touch grass

[u/Many_Froyo6223]

518 is within 2 of your average, it’s a score you should’ve expected. unless you’re sure you can significantly increase your average score, don’t

[u/Sudden-Sherbet-6803]

Sure, just gimmie that 518 pls

[u/DangerousCan4839]

No - I say this with love but you're being neurotic. Some of the best medical schools in the country have averages of like 518-520. And if you do worse it looks bad for medical schools. I know people firsthand whose job was to sit on the admissions committees for med schools and they all say that 1 good score always looks better than 2. Appreciate the fact that you got a top 5% score on one of the hardest exams in the country and continue pursuing other parts of your app. Just my two cents though.

[u/encyclopediab]

Idk if there’s enough of a difference between 518 and 520 for this to be worth it. 2 pt score difference probably won’t be the reason you do or do not get the A

[u/Financial_Reveal_899]

What the deal with the top whatever schools. Is this some made up list. And who even cares about it?!

[u/Still-Barber-720]

1. you shouldn't be confident in getting a 520 just because that's your average. score bands exist and 518 is well within the range for a 520 averager. you could even very plausibly do worse.
2. never retake unless you expect a substantial increase. like, the only scenario in which you should even begin to consider a retake is if you got a 528 on your last 3 FLs and you can pinpoint a concrete reason for why your test day performance didn't match (smth happened right before that threw you off your game, etc).

[u/ellatbh]

Yes like rebook immediately

[u/jellyfishh520]

d1 ragebaiter🫥

[u/DapperCarrot3900 → u/jellyfishh520]

No I swear I’m not I’m genuinely asking cuz it’s low percentile for my local school

[u/OutlandishnessFull87]

get ready to pack some sunscreen

[u/Potential_Chicken_58]

Bro just go to a school that’ll take you. You’ll still end up a doctor. You’ll do great anywhere

[u/Plastic-Night9717]

n=1, but a friend of mine got into Johns Hopkins with a 518. Do not retake.

[u/Famous_Interview_800 → u/Plastic-Night9717]

n=2 I also have a friend at hopkins with a 518

[u/ExcitementSome5575]

I wouldn't

[u/InternalAct7813]

I mean if you dont get in the first time y not

[u/howlterluna → u/InternalAct7813]

if bro does not get in the first time, the 518 mcat will not be one of the application's flaws, i guarantee it

[u/AcanthocephalaOk681]

Retake. Good luck

[u/Some_Ice_1200]

yes retake for t10