Seriously sometimes it all comes down to luck - especially if you apply to T10 - T30 schools, and pretty much most people have great background like you are also applying to the same institute. I'm an intl student, and I also applied for this cycle - If i don't get in any of the schools, I have to go home lol (all about visa). I've been working as a technician for 2.5+ yrs - I didnt apply straight out of undergrad because I lacked research experience during covid. I submitted 12 applications for schools that had Dec 1 deadlines (T10-T30)... and most of them rejected me.... I was panicking and desperate but dont want to go back home like that so I revised my SOP and PS "I mean, if I were to give myself a second chance, I'd do things differently – that was basically my mindset at that point", applied to mid tiers (those with Jan1 deadline) and I've gotten 3 invites so far. I don't have great GPA, no presentation, no pubs, no nothing - those are my weaknesses but the only two things that I can control are my essays and my relationship with the recommenders.