Mechanical Engineering Schools: What should I consider?

Hey guys, I'm starting to create a college list for mechanical engineering, but it's kind of overwhelming. Any particular things I should be looking out for in these schools? How did you decide what engineering schools you preferred?

Selecting which engineering schools to apply to is indeed an undertaking, so it's great to break it down into manageable pieces. There are several factors you may want to consider to help make a decision.

To start with, you'd want to evaluate their Mechanical Engineering (ME) department’s strength. This might be indicated by high national ranking, renowned faculty, and successful alumni in the field. Check if the ME program is ABET accredited, which serves as an assurance that a college or university program meets the quality standards set by the profession.

Next, consider the curriculum of each college's ME program. Some programs are general in nature while others offer concentrations or specializations within the ME field like robotics, thermal engineering, or automotive engineering. If you have a specific interest, this could help narrow down your options.

Additionally, look at the resources available on campus like labs, workshops, and research opportunities, particularly in your areas of interest. Some schools have cutting edge facilities and robust research programs which may provide you with great hands-on learning experiences.

Consider the school's record for job placement and internships in the ME field. A strong career services department with a good history of placing students in internships, co-ops, or post-graduate jobs can be a strong indicator of a successful program.

Lastly, you'll want to consider the general fit of each school. This includes the school size, location, financial cost, community, and culture, which could all have a big impact on your college experience.

An example of a meticulous approach could be this: let's say you're particularly interested in automotive engineering. You can look into schools that offer a concentration in this and have strong ties with the automotive industry. These programs might offer courses that let you design, build, and test vehicles, or have partnerships that will give you real-world experience and a foot into the industry. Likewise, schools famous for their automotive engineering research, like Michigan Tech, would be a strong fit. This kind of approach would lead you to schools that align with your personal interests and ambitions in mechanical engineering.

Remember granting any one factor too much consideration might obscure other things of importance, so it's all a balancing act.

Happy college hunting!