Top choices for students wanting to study engineering

I'm really interested in pursuing engineering and want to find out which colleges are considered the best for this pathway. It'd be great to hear experiences or insights on what makes a college a good option for engineering.

There are many excellent schools with strong engineering programs across the US. Here are some highly-rated institutions, both public and private:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Undeniably, MIT is a world leader in engineering education and research. With cutting-edge programs in various fields of engineering, there's something for just about every type of engineer here.

2. Stanford University: Stanford's mix of academia and proximity to Silicon Valley offers an exceptional experience for engineering students. The collaboration between academia and the tech industry can provide unique opportunities for research, internships, and even job offers post-graduation.

3. California Institute of Technology: Caltech, while smaller than the other institutions, offers top-notch engineering programs. With a very high faculty to student ratio, students can expect individualized attention and plenty of opportunity to get involved with research projects.

On the public side, schools such as:

1. University of California, Berkeley: Known for their strong engineering programs, particularly in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

2. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: Another public university with very strong engineering programs across the board, particularly in aerospace and mechanical engineering.

3. Georgia Institute of Technology: Known widely as Georgia Tech, this school is well-regarded for its engineering programs, particularly in the field of Industrial Engineering.

Diversity in class offerings, research opportunities, collaboration with the industry, and faculty expertise are some common indicators of a good engineering program. Additionally, consider elements like the school's resources for career placement, the strength of its alumni network in your area of interest, and its location (schools close to technological hubs may offer more internship and job opportunities).

One suggestion is to tour these colleges (if possible) and meet with current students and faculty in the engineering departments. This can give you a better feel for the environment and allow you to gauge alignment with your academic and career goals.