Need Honest Advice

Hi everyone, I wanted some honest advice about on-cycle recruiting. For some context I'm a senior at a non-target & I interned in M&A at a low-tier BB this past summer and got the RO.

I know that PE is even more pedigree obsessed than banking and the non-target name brand is probably going to hurt me. To be honest I know that MF is going to be an uphill battle but I don't want to adopt a negative mindset and I'd rather just gun for the best on-cycle offer I can possibly get. I'm thinking about taking the GMAT and applying for a deferred MBA but not sure if that will be helpful for on-cycle. For those on the other side of the table or who have been in my shoes, what can I be doing either prep-wise or networking wise to optimize my chances?

For context I have decent stats, partial merit scholarship at my non-target, 1560 SAT & 3.94 GPA. Thanks for any help in advance.