MS EE Schools & Funding Possibility

[collegekid]

Hello, I'm currently looking around for schools to apply to that fund Master's students with TAs or GAs that are within my reach. I'm from a top 50 undergraduate engineering school with a gpa of 3.6. I had some family problems (cancer/illness) throughout my education which really strained the gpa. Hopefully after this semester it will go back up. I will be taking my GREs soon, but I expect the math to be sufficient (750+) for most programs. I have great work experience after each school year, and a department award and I am an accomplished musician. I'm applying to jobs right now too.

Anyway, my undergrad institution is willing to accept and sponsor me with a GA, but I'd much rather go somewhere else - just because friends will be moving away, I'd like to meet more people, etc.

My ultimate goal is a Master's from a competitive school so that I can work at a great firm and ultimately go back for an MBA.

Can anyone suggest some schools that:

A. I would be a good fit for

B. I might have a chance of getting in (doesn't have to be a great chance)

C. I will be able to receive funding from (just guess)

Ideally, these schools would be within the Top 50 again.

Thanks for any responses in advance!

[newage2012]

Most schools do not provide TA/RA funding for master's students, you either have to look for job on campus like I did (not student employment but staff position), or come up with sufficient amount of loans. (I come from a EE background too).

If I were you I will take the GA and continue to feed my family. At least in my opinion, Just because "friends will be moving away " is not an acceptable reason for throwing away a sure offer, especially in this kind of economic situation. At least you buy yourself a couple years of time before going out to the real world, which sure be better by then. You may also see some path opened by then, like getting a PhD.

You can still know more people if you willing to use non-traditional methods, i.e. social networking sites. You can keep contact with old friends too.

There is an old Chinese saying, rolling stones don't gather mosses. A moving person won't gather greens ($$$), especially straight out from undergrad.