Hi xx-nepal I understand your concern and honestly i am in your situation too. My honest suggestion is better take the h1b now and apply for master programe for fall,2008 and at that point change ur status. I know indian kind of sucks cause they really care of penny and they will try to grind like anything but belive me if u r stronger against this and bit vocal then things can be bit better.My fren from mechanical worked in dataware house thorugh indian for 48K/year and he had a heated discussion with his employer after 6 month and now he is 70K/yr.We nepali don't prefer to work under someone esp. dhoti cause that is how we are and that is our nature but take my word u can turn the situation so better don't jeprodize ur oppurtunity and ur visa as atleast u can atleast make 1-2 semster tution fee before u decided to go for school.Just my suggestion..