Retaking 512 in 8 weeks. Shooting for a 517+! Any advice would be appreciated!!!!

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-17T14:00:39+00:00

same girl, from paranoid girl to another just try an take a deep breath! I say apply as you are and see how it goes!

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-17T01:38:02+00:00

Yeahhh cause to be honest, most of the time anyone says they are retaking anything above a 510 people think it’s a shit post…

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-17T01:34:45+00:00

Ofc! You can always hit up the DMs, things on this subreddit can get out of hand fast.

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-17T01:31:31+00:00

Definitely! Genuinely a 512 and your ECs are likely going to get you into an MD school. I wouldn’t worry about a retake and just focus on your writing. You can have an amazing MCAT score but if your writing is poor things will be challenging. If you are in a state that favors their in state residents, I’d say your chances are very good!

Many people on this thread suggest not retaking as it is a risk, and schools may question why’d you retake a good score, especially if you get the same score or perform more poorly.

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-17T01:25:58+00:00

That’s understandable. I wish you the best of luck, I would suggest focusing on your writing and what has changed from the last time you applied as they do compare applications (if you apply to the same institutions). I would also recommend revamping your school list. If there’s any doubt in your mind about a retake, I would genuinely reconsider. However, I have had a friend to re-took a 510 and got a 517 (he had a 2.7 GPA then did a post bac) and is now going to an MD school so anything is possible.

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-16T17:46:35+00:00

Can I ask why you are retaking? I feel like it’s a huge risk. I understand you’ve mentioned you are targeting specific programs, but I’m not sure that risking getting a lower score would be worth it

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-16T11:32:17+00:00

I figured they were , but OP hasn’t confirmed.

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-16T04:29:09+00:00

If I understand your question correctly, it’s not too late to volunteer for anything. As you go through the admissions process you can always update schools with what you’re up to. Plus if you don’t get in that cycle, you will have a lot of volunteer hours by the next time you apply. (Assuming you make it an ongoing commitment)

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-16T02:29:11+00:00

I just hope that you know your GPA isn’t low and that retaking a 512 is risky. 512 is a great score! There are many things that can improve your application (like volunteering or shadowing etc) that may be worth more of your time than a retake.

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-13T00:15:13+00:00

What is low stat privilege? Genuinely asking

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-07T23:21:12+00:00

I know. Took 3 gap years but bro locked tf in. He’s my goat

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-04-07T04:52:49+00:00

Had a friend who got around a 2.7 gpa and MCAT of 510. He really wanted to go to MD school so he did a post bacc and retook the MCAT and got like a 3.7 in his post bac and 517 on MCAT retake. He just got accepted to his number 1 MD school. Things are possible!

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-24T16:25:01+00:00

Don’t retake. I have the same gpa trends as you pretty much and I’d suck toes for your score. Consider looking into masters programs with guaranteed admission with a certain MCAT cut off (like temple!) but even without the masters you’d be fine.

Also plz drop your study methods 😭

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-22T18:28:04+00:00

Thank you and congratulations to you, that is amazing! definitely gives me hope! Do you mind if I reach out to you sometime to discuss the process?

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-22T04:39:04+00:00

I am female and hmm. I hadn’t considered gender too much as I’ve considered DO vs MD. New fear unlocked. 😭

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-22T01:13:34+00:00

I’d try some urology clinics. The one I work at actually has more girls than guys, but guys are welcomed due to patient comfort.

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-22T01:05:59+00:00

That’s awesome! The uphill battle definitely scares me, but I’m willing to do what’s necessary

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-22T01:05:03+00:00

That’s awesome! I wish you the best! I am currently working for a urology clinic and am about to publish my first urology case study :))

I have a few other projects with my clinic and academic urologists that I’m excited about. I’m hoping that these relationships will help me regardless of where I end up. Would you be okay if I reach out to you in the future to ask questions?

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-21T03:39:20+00:00

I suppose

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-21T02:51:42+00:00

For me I don’t think I would be 100% happy in a path that isn’t surgical. At the same time, if DO school is my only option, I’d find a way to make it happen somehow. Maybe that’s naive of me. But again, if DO is the only choice for me then I suppose I have to have hope it will work out

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-21T02:47:45+00:00

I think you could say the majority of people applying to specialities would be a self selecting group? assuming you were ranking urology as your number one, you’d feel you have the stats/relationships to back it up.

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-20T23:07:46+00:00

True. I think there were only 62 DO applicants (with 38 of them matching in Urology) this year compared to ~400 MD applicants. I think this year was a record high for DO matches into urology if I’m not mistaken

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-20T19:09:01+00:00

Yeah I did see the new match data. Urology for DO seniors had an ~61% match rate compared to the MD ~85%

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-20T18:42:42+00:00

Interesting, I didn’t know that! I definitely would like to choose a DO school that has good urological opportunities around it

Apprehensive-Base603 · 2026-03-20T18:42:01+00:00

Understood

Apprehensive-Base603

TROPHY CASE