It's my second time applying, but the first time was four years ago, when I was fresh out of college and with no job experience (and I was completely devastated). Now I have job experience, but in a somewhat unrelated field (teaching high school in my subject area, but that doesn't mean actually getting to make your own things) that some days drives me crazy (because my high schoolers are lazy), so I'm reapplying with a different medium (last time ceramics, this time printmaking), and hopefully to a happier outcome.
(This time I at least have an appointment for an interview. Even if I don't get in anywhere, I'm still doing better than last time!)
If I don't get in this year, I'm going to apply for paid residencies and/or apprenticeships somewhere new I've never lived before, probably abroad (still). (I've got a few applications for places in Turkey and Japan bookmarked already for the day I should need them.) Build my skills and my portfolio. And try, try again. Plus I'll start writing more, maybe a blog about different galleries and exhibits and things so I can get better at writing critiques. If I don't get into grad school, I actually am mostly fine with it. I like my Plan B, too.
(Now, if Plan B doesn't work out, I don't know what will come after that... The dog adoption thing sounds lovely.)