I haven’t forgotten about you, gentle readers. Life has just been very busy lately.
I would like to share these adoption-related videos with you. And remember, this is what was done (and is still done) to mothers here in Canada and the U.S. as well. (I wonder if my son’s former adoptive parents will ever see these, and learn that what I went through was not unusual, was not an aberration, but was done to thousands of mothers across Canada.)
I’m not sure where you intend to apply (or even which country), but while having published articles can be helpful, they certainly are neither necessary nor sufficient. Indeed, your thesis itself may be sufficient. (I would be very happy to see a well designed study proposal from a prospective student.)
Of course, trying to get published is great! But it’s also part of what a program is supposed to teach you how to do.
YMMV, a lot. I’m speaking from Computer Science and Philosophy, having gone to school in the US and currently teaching in the UK.
Good luck.