Luckily, I have some time before my application season comes, so to me doing some research/writing outside class for the sake of publishing/conferences is not a waste of time, but, instead, a great stimulus to do some more reading in the area of my interest and improve writing skills. Plus, since I still haven't made up my mind on the topic of my writing sample, there is no better way to do it than through actually trying to write something. This way, publication or conference participation is nothing other but a bonus one shouldn't miss on.
As for the schools, there aren't too many schools with continental emphasis, so, probably, Boston College, Stony Brook, Georgetown, LSU (MA), Loyola Chicago, DePail. Perhaps, some European schools, as well. Warwick is great, for instance, if I can secure some kind of a scholarship to attend.