[randcraw]

I wholly agree with your first paragraph, and I'd elaborate a little on the second.

I see only an upside in earning a MSCS, however you do it. But while learning more principle and technique is always good, it's not strictly necessary and it's definitely not sufficient to outcompete other candidates.

Experience in relevant side-projects is a good thing. It shows initiative and passion and that you're more than just a serious student. Open source dev experience demonstrates your desire to create -- not just to design, but to actually make -- as well as your ability to work with others, especially distant others. Most pro tech work now requires not just up-to-date tools and techniques but also good communication skills, increasingly with folks who work away from you. Demonstration of such skills is unusual and desirable, especially in those just out of school.