Need Advice: Biomedical Engineering or Neuroscience PhD/Ms (second time applicant)

Hi, I am currently an aerospace engineer looking to get into a PhD working on BCI or prosthetics. I applied to 5 programs last year and was rejected from all of them. I am trying to structure my applications this year to have a better chance of getting in. I want to stay in the US and would prefer the north east if possible.
Basically I am asking what are my chances and any thoughts on where I should look to apply. I obviously have looked at the best of the best, but I don’t think my application is to that tier.
Also if you have any other advice for a second time PhD applicant let me know.

Background: I had a 3.61 undergrad gpa with an aerospace engineering bachelors and engineering management minor from a well known university for aerospace. I have a little more than 4.5 (full time equivalent spread out over 7 years) research experience through industry. No publications due to industry. I have a lot of coding experience with a variety of languages and game development experience if that helps.

Last round of PhD applications: I applied to 5 programs UPenn, Brown, Harvard, Pitt, and Carnegie Mellon and was rejected from all without interview. I talked with PIs about their work before applying and they were super awesome. I want to do BCI for motor function or something similar. This is why I applied to these programs in particular. (I know these were all reaches at the time I thought I had a chance)

Thank you