I don't know anything about applying to PhD programs. I would like to add something to point three though: You could grab a research position with the governm

I don't know anything about applying to PhD programs. I would like to add something to point three though: You could grab a research position with the government. Lincoln Labs at Hanscom AFB is associated with MIT for example. If you work a few years as a program manager or bench scientist in the government civil service, you will network with prominent folks and have a chance to gain their respect. After all--where do you think that research money that professors love so much comes from? I had a positive experience. I was able to network with people who wrote papers I really liked. One particularly touching experience--months after I left, someone contacted me to let me know that a Professor whose work influenced me quite a bit would be in town. I was (as an outsider) given a slice of his schedule to meet with him and have lunch. Its like a family, once you're in... you're in.