My dream is to become a SDE (or SDET) at Microsoft in the US. I live in Australia and I graduated with my bachelor degree earlier this year, however I was disheartened when I discovered that Microsoft (through their JobsBlog website) only hires international applicants with a 4 year or more degree, mine was only a 2 year degree. I realise I need to undertake more study but now I am at a cross-road. I can study for my Masters degree at a university in the US but I'm afraid I've held it off late since they don't align to the Southern Hemisphere school year (most applications close Dec 10 or are already closed), then you don't hear if you were successful until April, and if not I have wasted year of opportunities. A US university would be beneficial since they would likely have or be able to get me in contact with a Microsoft recruiter. The alternative route is I study for my Masters of Computer Science in Australia, which I can begin in February (rather than next September). The two main disadvantages though is that by studying in Australia I would most likely have to apply to Microsoft in Australia and their website states that they only focus on Support, Sales, and Marketing for the region and not software development. The second disadvantage is I'm not sure if Microsoft in Australia takes SDE interns if the previous statement is true, and if they don't, their website states they cannot send interns internationally. I am not sure where to go now, and I feel as if my location is a significant disadvantage to living my dream.