Apparently my fingers don't really care about all of this effort in the slightest.
No matter where I place my finger there is ALWAYS one string that is muted because I cannot get that part of my finger to press down any further. I even consulted a friend of mine who has been playing the guitar for over ten years. My consultation resulted in both of us laughing uncontrollably because neither of us could figure out how to address the problem.
Our only solution was to keep practicing. To strengthen the fingers and build callus there as well as on the tips of my finger. So that's what I'm going to do.
Onwards and upwards, as they say.