People here are offering great advice! I’ll just chime in with my own experience.
Of the 10 schools I applied to in the US, I only got into 4. I got rejected from multiple options i considered safeties, yet got into an Ivy League. It all felt very random, and I could see no rhyme or reason to my decisions. Very brutal. Luckily, I applied to universities in other countries too, as I couldn’t afford any of the American schools I did get into.
Bottom line: try to be flexible and limit your expectations. It’s easier on the emotions. Also, apply to some CLEAR safeties - schools that basically let everyone in - as last-ditch contingencies.
Good luck it’s tough, but rewarding.