<p>I am applying to Ph.D. programs in biomedical engineering and am unsure of my chances to get into the schools I am applying to. I go to a well-regarded public engineering school and have a 3.78 GPA in bioengineering and my GRE score was 170Q 166V 5.5W. I also should have at least two very strong recommendations, one from a well known professor in my field. However, I only decided I was interested in grad school and joined a lab a year ago. I have done pretty well in my short time there and have two published abstracts (1 as second author and 1 as third), but I know my research experience isn't as stellar as some other applicants. Provided I can write a strong SOP and my PI vouches for me in his recommendation, would I be a competitive applicant for top 10-20 programs?</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, graduate admission outcomes seem to hinge crucially on an applicant’s letters of recommendation. That makes guessing chances a mood point because most applicants don’t actually know what their letters look like or how they compare to the letters of other applicants (both in content and credibility). </p>
<p>Your references are uniquely qualified to give you advice on this matter. Have you asked them?</p>
<p>The vast majority of admits to doctoral programs do not have any publications. Even in the sciences, I still think it’s more uncommon for an undergrad to have a publication. I certainly didn’t have any (although I am in the social sciences). So not having any is not going to torpedo your application.</p>