If you are serious about getting into a PhD program then you should have a clear idea of your academic/research goals and some professors you have impressed wit

If you are serious about getting into a PhD program then you should have a clear idea of your academic/research goals and some professors you have impressed with your work. Compile professor recommendations, the write up of your goals, and any supporting evidence you have of your abilities: i.e. particularly noteworthy papers, projects, etc. If you do end up getting rejected, then look around for a project with which to prove yourself. You know what skills you have and how they could be useful. Find another student's project, or a start-up company, or a professor's research which you can contribute to in an important and impressive way. You can use such proofs of your abilities as a ticket into a PhD program next year.