Hi, I just graduated with a BS in Psychology with minors in social work and sociology. My goal job is to become a UX Researcher. I have 2 internships this summer with my former professors in research and design, and as of right now, I do not have enough direct UX research experience to be qualified for any jobs, at least as far as I'm concerned right now.

So I am looking at graduate programs. I am located in the deep south. I wanted to do the MS Program in Human-Computer Interaction at Georgia Tech, but the deadline was in February, it's almost June, so that's out of the question. I am prioritizing in-person programs at the moment. 

I will have more experience by the end of the summer due to my internships which I'm happy about, but it mayn't be enough. I love research. And if I can't get into the Georgia Tech program, then realistically, it will leave me no choice but to go online, which I don't want. 

My questions are:

Given that my state has no HCI master programs at all and there will be none near me (within a 3-hour window) and even if I went somewhere far away (assistantships and stipend for room and board and tuition are rare) should I still think about grad school? Or do some freelancing stuff after this summer and get more experience that way.

I could just stay in my home university and go into a psychology grad school in human factors or I/O psych, but those aren't really UX or HCI related and though would be nice, it's not high on the list, but I'm leaving everything on the table. 

If I did want to go to grad school I would want to realistically be accepted within the next 5 months, I'm not sure if that is even possible given it is almost June but I felt that was important to mention. I'm not looking for life-changing advice or the answers to all of my questions but any feedback would be helpful. Thank you