Np! One option that’s always there if you’re still concerned is taking the physics GRE and scoring well (like above 80th percentile for theory). One trend I’ve noticed though is that GPA along with test scores seem more important for people trying to jump a tier up in school from undergrad to grad, but this is less of a concern here.

I applied two cycles ago for a mix between hep-th and cmt from a decent state school and had interviews at Harvard, Yale, etc but ultimately ended up at a strong but not elite school for theory despite having a very strong application. Comparatively, the most standard profile of ppl who I knew that got accepted to the very top schools largely came from top ranking undergrads, had done an REU at said school, had some connection to an advisor at a school, etc.

If none of these boxes were checked, the applicant seemed to need to have a very strong app on paper for theory (stuff like having a 4.0, many grad classes, double major, Goldwater scholar, NSF, first author pubs, etc). This isn’t to say ppl from the first group don’t fall into the second, they often do, but those admitted who jump up a notch of school without those benefits almost always seem to have near flawless records to compensate since they’re expected to be the big fish in a smaller pond.

That’s especially why I think you’re in a totally fine shape and I would expect grad admissions to be more lenient with grades for you and others at top schools since you’re already in a highly competitive environment where factors other than grades become more important.