How competitive am I?

[endofevangelion]

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Argh, not sure if I should apply to MD/PhD because I don't know what my chances are. Can any experts help me?

Here are my stats
GPA: 3.74
MCAT: 37R
Research: 3 labs, first one, not much at all done because it was just for one summer, second lab, been there for one year, but only one piece of significant data and no publications, third lab, just started a month ago, so no papers, but much more responsibilities than the first two
LORs: the letters from academic profs are pretty good I think, but the two that I got from my PIs are probably mediocre. The first PI told me he couldnt evaluate me much on my science skills because I had only been there for one summer. Second PI, I didn't really like him much and we had subtle conflicts throughout the year. dont have PI for 3rd lab because ive only been working there 1 month and i dont think its fair to ask him.
ECs: typical premed stuff... volunteering, a few leadership positions, news paper editor, a few clubs, tutoring

What do you guys think? Any other info you guys want to know?

 

[redoc]

I'd say you're good to go. Just know your research (background, results, etc..) well for your interviews.

 

[GWD]

Strong GPA, and MCAT

weak point is definately your LOR and research experience.

Shouldn't be too hard to bolster if you still have some time left before decision, just gonna have to get on it

 

[Picklesali]

Hmmmm... I think we can all agree that the research experience is the most important part of the application process. Favorable letters from PIs make up a big part of that. If you were in these labs long enough to really learn something about the process of doing science and talk very intellectually about your project and it's place in the bigger picture than you might be okay. But if your letters are leaning more on the side of bad than mediocre I think you might have a problem

 

[magwi11]

Hmmmm... I think we can all agree that the research experience is the most important part of the application process. Favorable letters from PIs make up a big part of that. If you were in these labs long enough to really learn something about the process of doing science and talk very intellectually about your project and it's place in the bigger picture than you might be okay. But if your letters are leaning more on the side of bad than mediocre I think you might have a problem

I agree. You have to get the interview to have the opportunity to talk about your research, and to get that interview you need good LORs from research advisers. If you have killer essays (particularly make sure to take advantage of any opportunity to make your research work sound amazing) than you might get by on middling letters, but if you are going with one letter that says, "I can't really evaluate" and one that you can't be 100% confident will be flattering, you might have issues even getting your foot in the door.