Maya,
I think it's really important to have a good personal statement (ie. not cheesy). Have something to say and say it very well: no mistakes because very educated people are reading it. I rewrote mine about 15 times before I turned it in plus got help from a professor. Can you draw something significant from the obstacles you talked about? I think having experience outside of school helps. You can try and participate in some activity that will set you apart from the crowd, like internship or research. You are competing for limited spots so you have to give them a reason to pick you over the 85 other students with the exact same stats and experience you have. And, like someone said earlier, it's good to have someone on your side if possible. Make contact with someone on the admission committee or just make your name and face known in the office. Ask questions, even if you already know the answers to them, just so you can make contacts. Finally, the more schools you apply to, the greater chances you have it seems.
