Second time applying for PhD programs- not looking good

[Clongoria90]

So, here's the scoop:

 

In 2016 I applied to PhD programs in some schools that were way out of my league and was rejected from all of them. I finished my MS in 2016 with a 4.0 GPA and 0 publications. I have been working as a lab technician and was just recently promoted to a scientist (Entomology, not the field I got my degrees in which is Biology and Microbiology). I have a 3.2 GPA for undergrad and work/research experience. I have applied to UT (Microbiology, rejected), UCSD (Biomedical sciences, no answer yet), Rice (Biochemistry and Cell Biology, waitlisted), Rutgers (Applied Physiology and Kinesiology (POI does microbiome work), no answer), and UC Denver (Immunology, rejected).

My GRE could be a little better, but other than that I don't know what else I could possibly do to make myself a better applicant. I reach out to POIs (not all answer, which is expected), and have my SPs read over several times. What else can I possibly do if this second time through doesn't go well? I'm kind of on the verge of just giving up this dream.

[purpleHyacinth]

Can you ask your boss or letter writers for feedback on your application? Have you received any interviews (either this time or last) or was it outright rejection? Maybe you need to revise the list of schools to which you're applying.

[Clongoria90]

This is a good idea, I will see what they think.

I have had 0 interviews, just rejection (minus the one waitlist right now).

 

I will likely investigate other schools if I try again next year. The only school I applied to this time that was the same as the first time was UT Austin