I hate how true this is. Students at "lower-ranked" law schools often get passed over. A few tips I've given mentees:

(1) Paper applications mean someone has to look at them and can't filter for schools like on OSCAR. It's how I got at least one of my clerkships.

(2) Networking. If someone is willing to make a call for you, that can make all the difference. Talk to your mentors, people at your 1L/2L jobs, attend panels, etc.

(3) Apply far and wide. Many judges in less popular cities just won't get the same number of applications.

(4) Consider working for a bit and then applying. I hated being told this when I was in law school, but I know more and more judges hire clerks a few years out of school. Experience matters more than your law school at that point.