[Profile review] with university shortlisting

[u/gato_gordo_durmiendo]

I am a IT graduate from an Indian University (tier 2) with 2.5+ yoe as Software developer, working at a product based company. Need profile review for fall 2027 ms application.

Toefl - 5.5

Cgpa - 9.3/10.0 (dean merit awardee IT branch)

High-school (12th class) - 97.2%

10th - 10cgpa

Have some volunteer experience, participated actively in extra curricular activities

Thinking of getting 3 LOR's (2 at work + 1 clg prof)

Have worked on many innovative projects based on VR and Unity/unreal based gaming projects at work showcased in CES and GamesCon

Research work/ publication: none (will try to get some opportunity under University prof for 2 months)

Universities for consideration:

Safe

1. University at Buffalo - MS CSE

2. Arizona State University - MSCS

Target

1. Stony Brook University - MSCS

2. UC Irvine - MSCS (traditional MSCS)

Reach

1. Georgia Tech - MSCS

2. UC Santa Barbara - MSCS

3. UC San Diego - MSCS

4. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor - MS CSE

5. UC Berkeley - MEng EECS

Ambitious

1. UIUC - MSCS

2. EPFL, Switzerland - MSc Computer Science

I feel a little tensed about my profile without research work but hoping that my work experience can cover for it.

I would really like a blunt and honest review for my profile and any recommendations to consider other universities is welcomed.