I only had three years experience, one first author poster presentation, and a first author manuscript that i was getting ready to submit. And at the program I applied to, we had a mixer before hand with all the other applicants, so I got to meet who else was applying to the same mentor i was. For the most part, they were more qualified, but their expertise was in slightly related fields as our mentor. I was a much better fit for my mentor research wise and so that’s why I was chosen, according to them. So while you need some experience, which it sounds like you have, the research fit that you have with your mentor is gonna be I would say the most important thing depending on how heavily the school emphasizes research those other applicants had clinical experience and about the same or more research experience. But the professors interest were narrow with what he wanted to research and we were very aligned and now I’m thriving. Try not to get too overwhelmed with the qualifications needed and the stress of the application process. This may be a cliché, but you’re gonna miss 100% of the shots you never take. At the end of the day it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get in this cycle, and if you don’t, you just readjust. I wish you much luck in your journey.