I believe a phone call for first contact is nice, or a zoom call. An in-person invitation seems risky, however it would be a crucial step since I would be needing to find a place to live. It is really sad that it is going to be so competitive. I am sure a lot of great future researchers may feel discouraged after applications this year.
My friend got a rejection from a few schools already, but he did counseling instead of social. However, I think it is a department wide process at this point rather than a discipline, and I think hearing later rather than now is a good sign. Have not heard anything from UNC yet, nor UofMichigan, or NYU.