<p>Yes, it is almost impossible to get a work visa after your OPT with a BS (due to unscrupulous companies using H1B for offshore workers, something which I hoped the immigration reform would change, but now it’s stalled). However, if you attend UWA for CS, you’ll likely be poached by a Canadian company - representatives may actually come to campus and explain that Canadian laws are much more lenient for international graduates (it’s something like: find a job, get the work permit, and if 3 years later you’re still legally employed, you can become a permanent resident, vs. the American system which is mind-bogglingly impossible, thus harming the economy it’s supposed to help and hence the Canadian poaching of top talent.) Your other option is to earn a Master’s degree, at which point getting hired in the US becomes much easier (but still far from easy).
With an F1 visa you can work up to 20 hours on campus, and up to 40hours during breaks/vacations.</p>
<p>As of now, it sounds like you haven’t been admitted to either USC or UWA, so apply to both, keeping in mind they’re very competitive.</p>