What can I do for 10 hrs/week to improve my chances of getting into a MS in CS? (All grades and no experience)

[GlassSculpture]

I'm applying to MS CS programs in the USA this year, to start in Fall 2021 and I'd like to know what I can do over the next 4 months to improve my profile for the schools I'm interested in.

To be blunt about it: I have a 340/340 GRE and a 4.0 GPA so far (and I graduated in the top 10% of my previous MS in Economics), but that's about it. I don't have any research experience or relevant work experience. Two of my letters of rec are from professors from my previous Economics BS & MS degrees, and the third is from an instructor in the CS post-bacc I'm taking now. I'll be about halfway through my post-bacc by the time I apply, so I won't have all the courses on my transcript, although I should graduate before Fall 2021.

I originally studied a BS and MS in Economics in the UK, where I'm from (these are from top 'brand-name' universities if that matters). Long story short I realised that I'm much more into CS and started an online post-bacc in CS from a top 70 state school in the USA so I could meet the prereqs for a CS masters program.

So - I have 10hrs/week spare for 4 months to do something that could improve my application. Would any of the following help?

• Cold reach out to professors around me and offer voluntary research assistant services (unlikely to work but would help the most I guess?)
• Part-time dev internship/job (something to write about in the SOP?)
• My own side projects (something to write about in the SOP, but probably the least useful?)
• ???

I also have no clue what kind of schools I can get into - are any of the following even realistic for me?

• USC MS in CS - I hear they're grade-focused so probably my best bet
• UCLA MS in CS
• Northeastern MS in CS
• NYU MS in CS (Tandon or Courant)
• Rice MS in CS

Thanks anyone who can offer some advice!

[NitinD]

Hi @GlassSculpture, 

Although I am not an expert and I am myself applying for Fall'21 MS in CS.... I can say that you have great scores and GPA. If you are looking for a coursework (non thesis) program then the universities expect you to have good/decent projects... I think USC and UCSD both focus more on grades and scores so it would be great for you.. 
Wish you best of luck 

Edited September 1, 2020 by NitinD

[GlassSculpture]

3 hours ago, NitinD said:

Hi @GlassSculpture, 

Although I am not an expert and I am myself applying for Fall'21 MS in CS.... I can say that you have great scores and GPA. If you are looking for a coursework (non thesis) program then the universities expect you to have good/decent projects... I think USC and UCSD both focus more on grades and scores so it would be great for you.. 
Wish you best of luck 

Thanks @NitinD for the kind words! Unfortunately I don't have any solid side projects but hopefully the grades will help me out with USC