Should I retake GRE for AWA?

[T. Wong]

Hi folks,

I am an international student pursuing MA in AUS, and will apply for Fall 2020 PhD later this year, Physical Anthro or Archae track, depends on the program.

Here's my question: Should I retake GRE for AWA its own sake? Other scores of mine are ok (i guess): 90th percentile above in both V and Q, 113 in TOEFL with 26 in Speaking, 3.8/4.0 undergrad GPA, Distinction in MA so far. But i only received 3.5 on AWA.

As i am going to apply some top programs (UMich, Duke, UCLA, etc.), will this AWA score hold me back? Or, will a decent Writing Sample compensate it? No way I can tell my WS will be decent tho. 

Thanks for any feedback!

[dillwithit]

I wouldn't retake it. Just be sure to include a writing sample as some schools use the AWA as the sole writing sample. The majority of schools in anthro focus on V and Q scores anyway.