To take a year off or apply straight for engineering phD

[fazedandconfused]

Hi, I am currently a rising senior biomedical engineering student and I'm confused as to whether to apply straight for a PhD or take a year off and attempt to get an internship or more lab experience? I'm unsure as to whether I would actually get into a program. I currently have a 3.51 GPA, a year and a half of lab experience, no publications, one summer REU and one year long research fellowship. I was told that if your stats as a student are not the best, it's better to take a year off try to get a job or research position and then apply. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance

[ResearchLife]

Have you taken the GRE yet? Your GPA is pretty good, since the minimum is 3.0 for most PhD programs, you GPA is well above the average. However you should do some practice test for the GRE and see how well you score. Also most PhD programs recommend you take your GRE  that latest by October. Depending on your GRE score you should apply. Also do you have 3 LOR for programs?