I don’t know how many people will come back to this post, but I just want to say thanks for all the advice, even some of the more negative points have been really constructive and helpful to me! I feel like I’ve learned more about the application process just from this post than from all the other resources I’ve used combined, which maybe just goes to show that I’ve got a lot to do between now and application deadlines, but I feel much more well-informed thanks to all of your responses 