Score Analysis
Is 518 a Good MCAT Score?
A 520+ scoring MCAT tutor breaks down what a 518 means for MD and DO admissions, which schools match your score, and whether retaking makes sense.
518 is the 95th percentile. It matches the medians at Michigan, Cornell Weill, and University of Michigan.
What 518 means in the applicant pool
518 to 520 is the 95th to 97th percentile. The T20 opens up meaningfully here, and the full MD landscape is numerically realistic. At this range the MCAT is a clear strength on your application, and admissions outcomes are almost entirely driven by the non-score elements: activities, essays, research, clinical hours, letters, and school-specific fit. Retaking is almost never productive at this band.
MD acceptance odds at this score
AAMC Table A-23 aggregates three application cycles of real MD applicant data to map MCAT and GPA combinations to acceptance rates. At 518, the realistic range is roughly Roughly 75 to 85 percent with a 3.7+ GPA. 518 with a 3.8+ GPA puts you at the top band of the AAMC A-23 grid with acceptance odds above 80 percent across matched programs.
For DO programs, the acceptance picture is different because the DO matriculant average is 503 and the applicant pool is smaller. Expect roughly Numerically all DO programs are realistic, but DO matriculation from this score is usually driven by specific fit rather than stats.
MD schools to consider with a 518
The T20 becomes realistic, and mid-tier MD is essentially a non-issue from a score perspective. Apply strategically to a mix of T20 stretches, T30 targets, and 2 to 3 safety state programs.
Schools are grouped by how a 518 compares to their matriculant interquartile range. Target schools place your score inside the middle 50% of admitted students (roughly 25th-75th percentile). Reach and safety are sorted by the gap. The 25th/75th MCAT values are estimated from published medians using typical published IQR spreads; most schools do not publish their exact percentile figures.
Target schools (25)
Your 518 sits within the 25th-75th MCAT range of these programs.
+ 10 more MD target schools.
Reach schools (16)
Your 518 is below the 25th-percentile MCAT at these programs. Reachable if your application is strong elsewhere.
+ 8 more MD reach schools.
Stats-positive MD programs (35)
Your 518 sits above the 75th-percentile MCAT at these programs.
DO schools to consider with a 518
DO is numerically realistic everywhere, but most applicants at this score pursue DO only if they have a specific osteopathic narrative.
Canadian MD programs
All Canadian MD programs treat this score as fully competitive. The subsection balance question still applies at Western (127 per section). McMaster still only cares about CARS, so pairing a 518 with a 131+ CARS is an ideal McMaster application. Toronto, Queen's, UBC, Alberta, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Dalhousie are all in play. McGill and the Quebec schools do not require the MCAT.
How the 518 realistic school list compares
The section-split edge cases
The MCAT total tells only part of the story. Adcoms also look at section balance, and two applicants with the same 518 total can have meaningfully different realistic school lists depending on how that score was distributed.
Low CARS with a 518 total
A 518 with 124 CARS still interviews at most T20s outside the CARS-weighted programs. Low CARS at this total is rare and usually reflects a specific reading or timing issue rather than comprehension. If you were aiming at McMaster, a CARS retake (not a full retake) is the right response.
Balanced 518s are most common. A 518 with a 124 CARS still interviews widely; a 518 with a 132 CARS is a top McMaster application.
Low C/P with a 518 total
Low C/P is extremely rare at this total. If it appears, it usually signals a single-day anxiety or timing issue. T10 research-heavy schools may flag it, but most T20 programs focus on total.
Balanced vs. split profile
Most 518 to 520 totals are balanced because the distribution tightens at the top end. A split at this total (e.g., 132/122/132/132) is unusual enough that adcoms will notice, but rarely determinative.
Should you retake a 518?
At 518 the median retake gain is 1 point and 1 in 4 retakers score lower. The T20 is already numerically realistic.
Do not retake in this range. The median gain at 518+ is about 1 point, 1 in 4 retakers score lower, and the pain of a retake cycle rarely justifies the marginal gain. The only exception is if you are specifically targeting top 5 programs and your 518 came from an outlier low section you believe you can fix quickly without dropping your other sections.
Before registering for a retake, run the numbers. Our MCAT Retake Calculator uses AAMC retake score-change data to estimate your realistic retake outcome based on your current score, practice average, and study time. It is free and takes under two minutes.
For a deeper framework on the retake decision, see the full Should You Retake the MCAT guide, and if your score is below your practice average, the MCAT Score Not Improving guide walks through the four error types that drive most plateaus.
Frequently asked questions
Is 518 a good MCAT score?
518 is the 95th percentile. It is in the 95th to 97th percentile. The T20 is numerically realistic, and the MCAT is a clear positive. 518 is the 95th percentile. It matches the medians at Michigan, Cornell Weill, and University of Michigan.
What medical schools can I get into with a 518 MCAT?
For MD, The T20 becomes realistic, and mid-tier MD is essentially a non-issue from a score perspective. Apply strategically to a mix of T20 stretches, T30 targets, and 2 to 3 safety state programs.. For DO, DO is numerically realistic everywhere, but most applicants at this score pursue DO only if they have a specific osteopathic narrative.. Full named school lists for your score are in the guide above.
Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 518?
Do not retake. At 518 the median retake gain is 1 point and 1 in 4 retakers score lower. The T20 is already numerically realistic.
What percentile is 518 on the MCAT?
518 is the 95th percentile according to AAMC data in effect May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.
Related scores
See all score-by-score guides in the full MCAT Score Guide, or check the complete MCAT percentile chart.