No, unless it is a particularly good paper. Most institutions expect that you convert your LLM thesis into your first publication. If you are unable to do that, then that is a major red flag.
The best foot forward is...
1. Do reasonably well in undergrad. Then start zeroing in on schools/scholarships you might want to apply for in (summer break after) Y4.
2. Apply early in Y5. Get this done by October/November. For this, you will have to plan and complete TOEFL/IELTS as the case may be, and also make sure to speak to people regarding LoRs as well as getting transcripts.
3. Get into LLM. If it is a thesis-based program (mostly Canada), then have a clear idea of a workable project. Do bulk of your work in Terms 1&2, so that you can present your work at graduate conferences over the summer, i.e., term 3. If it is a taught program (UK or US), do try to do a good job with one or two of your term papers. Present these at graduate conferences over the summer.
4. Find a RAship in the country you were in or come join as an assistant professor back in India post-LLM. The idea is to get some work experience under your belt, while continually thinking about your doctoral project. Also, use this time to get your paper(s) developed in LLM and chiseled away at grad conferences at this time.
5. At the completion of one year post LLM you should have a list of schools you apply for PHDs. This should not be the top 5/10 schools any ranking list gives you. You should be able to justify each to yourself with one or two subject area experts who will possibly be on your doctoral committee.
6. Write to these professors over the summer asking if they would consider being your chair/supervisor. Send them a cover letter (summing up who you are, what you propose to do, and how you have trained till now to capably do that project), a CV, and a 1/2 page project proposal document.
7. If you do not hear back from them by July, send a polite reminder.
8. The people who get back to you in the affirmative, apply to their schools at the earliest (October/November). Remember this will require you to take care of formalities like LoRs, transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS like before.
9. Write back to people who tell you they can't (as they won't be a fit or as they have a full load of grad students etc.) asking if they could point you to someone else who might be a good fit.
10. Apply and wait. You must have funding for the Ph.D. Don't think my parents can afford it. It is important for the future in academia. Money draws more money. Writing grant apps is a skill, the sooner you acquire it the better.
11. Once in the Ph.D., have yearly targets. You must present a paper at 3/4 grad conferences every year. The idea is to get your work out there and to gain feedback at these events. Try to publish a paper every year from Y3 onwards.
12. At the end of your Ph.D., hopefully, you'll have 3/4 Solid publications and multiple presentations at conferences. Use these to apply for post-docs or scholar-in-residence programs. Use these to do some teaching but mainly to convert your dissertation into a book.
13. This book will largely determine your chances of making tenure-track at a good American university.
........
Please note that this is an over-simplification for a general audience. There are always adjustments that can be made and alternative pathways.
The best foot forward is...
1. Do reasonably well in undergrad. Then start zeroing in on schools/scholarships you might want to apply for in (summer break after) Y4.
2. Apply early in Y5. Get this done by October/November. For this, you will have to plan and complete TOEFL/IELTS as the case may be, and also make sure to speak to people regarding LoRs as well as getting transcripts.
3. Get into LLM. If it is a thesis-based program (mostly Canada), then have a clear idea of a workable project. Do bulk of your work in Terms 1&2, so that you can present your work at graduate conferences over the summer, i.e., term 3. If it is a taught program (UK or US), do try to do a good job with one or two of your term papers. Present these at graduate conferences over the summer.
4. Find a RAship in the country you were in or come join as an assistant professor back in India post-LLM. The idea is to get some work experience under your belt, while continually thinking about your doctoral project. Also, use this time to get your paper(s) developed in LLM and chiseled away at grad conferences at this time.
5. At the completion of one year post LLM you should have a list of schools you apply for PHDs. This should not be the top 5/10 schools any ranking list gives you. You should be able to justify each to yourself with one or two subject area experts who will possibly be on your doctoral committee.
6. Write to these professors over the summer asking if they would consider being your chair/supervisor. Send them a cover letter (summing up who you are, what you propose to do, and how you have trained till now to capably do that project), a CV, and a 1/2 page project proposal document.
7. If you do not hear back from them by July, send a polite reminder.
8. The people who get back to you in the affirmative, apply to their schools at the earliest (October/November). Remember this will require you to take care of formalities like LoRs, transcripts, TOEFL/IELTS like before.
9. Write back to people who tell you they can't (as they won't be a fit or as they have a full load of grad students etc.) asking if they could point you to someone else who might be a good fit.
10. Apply and wait. You must have funding for the Ph.D. Don't think my parents can afford it. It is important for the future in academia. Money draws more money. Writing grant apps is a skill, the sooner you acquire it the better.
11. Once in the Ph.D., have yearly targets. You must present a paper at 3/4 grad conferences every year. The idea is to get your work out there and to gain feedback at these events. Try to publish a paper every year from Y3 onwards.
12. At the end of your Ph.D., hopefully, you'll have 3/4 Solid publications and multiple presentations at conferences. Use these to apply for post-docs or scholar-in-residence programs. Use these to do some teaching but mainly to convert your dissertation into a book.
13. This book will largely determine your chances of making tenure-track at a good American university.
........
Please note that this is an over-simplification for a general audience. There are always adjustments that can be made and alternative pathways.