I am currently an engineer in San Diego and close to getting my commercial license. My advice to you is the following: First and foremost, figure out if you really enjoy flying. Take a couple intro flights, either at kmyf, ksee, ksdm, or kcrq. If you do then continue your aspiration in becoming a pilot. IMO (and just MY opinion) personally suggest not getting your masters at the moment. Every company I have worked for has offered to pay for it, willing you can do school part time and work full time. If you are a US citizen I would highly suggest you get an engineering job working for the government (i.e. SPAWAR) because 1) job stability 2) they will pay for grad school if you choose this route 3) relaxed atmosphere - easy to do flight training weekday nights and weekends and 4) MOST IMPORTANTLY - you get "Career Status" after working two years MEANING IF YOU EVER LEAVE YOU WILL HAVE A MUCH, MUCH EASIER TIME GETTING EMPLOYED AGAIN IF YOU RE-APPLY (I.E. FURLOUGH) and you keep your pay grade. This is this "back up career" that everyone keeps yapping at!! Personally I think once you start flying you will concentrate more on your flying ratings rather than grad school but that was just my case