Chance for top grad schools w/o publication?

[Neox]

Ugrad Institution: One of the top 10 schools in US News Ranking

Major : ECE

GPA : 3.95/4.00 / Major : 4.00/4.00

Length of degree : 2.5 yrs

Ugrad Research : ~ 1 full yr about computer architecture.

GRE : 730/800/4.0

Coursework : Total of 15 ECE courses including two-three grad level courses about comp.architecture (some of the courses may not be finished at the time of application)

Intended Major : Comp.architecture Ph.D

I know that it is very hard to get admissions from top schools without a publication. Though I am currently working on my research, I am not sure if it will be published on time (before the application submission). I have some other

internship experiences (around 3 months); however, I am not sure if it will help.

Let me know if there is a case for top grad school admission w/o publication. I am currently thinking of applying to MIT/Stanford/UCB/CMU/Princeton/Harvard. If I end up not getting an admission, I would reapply after getting a M.S degree from my current school.

Edited July 16, 2011 by Neox

[Slorg]

Looks like you're in good shape. Lots of people applying don't have publications. I didn't!

[ktel]

I didn't have any publications when I applied, and got accepted to a fully funded M.A.Sc. program in Aerospace Engineering (Master's are commonly funded here in Canada, and I have heard as a result they are as competitive PhDs? I could be wrong though)