I'm a comp sci grad with some years in industry and want to do a physics masters. A phd would take too long and I'm getting old and want to start working but if I get a physics masters I could work at a national lab or nasa etc.

Would it be very difficult for me to get a place in a top school in america? I'm from eu but I might have to do the masters at my old college so professors could vouch for me since I would be switching field.