Well, I would love to attend Berkeley given the chance, but the money is going to play a pretty big role. I don't feel comfortable taking out a loan that won't materialize into immediate returns. As I understand the MS in engineering, it'll pay for itself over a long time span, but doesn't have much immediate impact. Moreover, I may choose to do a Ph.D afterward, but I was hesitant in applying immediately to Ph.D programs since I wasn't sure if they were for me. If I go that route, I'll feel that I wasted money on an MS considering Ph.D programs are generally funded.
I have emailed some professors but most were unresponsive. The two that responded told me that their funding situation was up in the air and they wouldn't know until later this spring or in the summer, which is after the decision deadline, April 15th. I emailed one of the professors (the one I'd be more interested in working with between the two) back asking what my chances were of getting funding on Thursday morning, but I have yet to receive a response.
=(