Introducing Top 8 US Engineering Institutes

Engineering involves putting scientific principles into practical applications. From building bridges to the next Facebook, it is a popular field of study that is offered at almost all large public universities and research institutes. It can also be categorized into many disciplines such as chemical, mechanical, civil, environmental, software, electrical engineering and more. No matter what discipline prospective students choose to specialise in, they must first choose the right school to pursue their engineering studies. In this article, we have compiled a list of the top 8 engineering schools that offer the best programs and opportunities for their students.

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, has been ranked for having the best engineering program in the mechanical, chemical, civil, and electrical disciplines. It is a private research university located near Boston in the North-eastern U.S. Founded in 1861, the university originally followed a European polytechnic school model which emphasised laboratory skills and research work. Over time, the school has produced over 80 Nobel laureates, 45 Rhodes Scholars, and 38 MacArthur Fellows. It is home to some of the best research facilities including one of the most powerful nuclear reactors in the U.S.

For undergraduate students, MIT offers a choice of disciplines to specialise in. They are aeronautics and astronautics, biological, chemical, civil and environmental, electrical and computer, materials, mechanical, and nuclear engineering. Additional programs such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) allows students to join or initiate research projects for academic credit or on a volunteer basis, or create and get funding to start a company through the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program. To apply, prospective students should demonstrate exceptional academic and leadership skills as only 8% of all applicants are accepted into the engineering program each year. 

Stanford University

Stanford University is located in the South-western US, in the state of California. Its school of engineering has been ranked second in the U.S. for the chemical, mechanical, and electrical disciplines. In fact, there are a total of nine departmental programs along with eight interdepartmental programs that undergraduate students can major in. The departmental programs include bioengineering, chemical, civil, computer, environmental systems, management science, materials science and mechanical engineering. The interdepartmental programs, on the other hand, are offered in partnership with other departments and include programs such as architectural design, aeronautics, and atmosphere and energy.

Due to the school’s proximity to Silicon Valley, Stanford students have a myriad of opportunities for internships and networking with industries and working professionals. Summer research programs are also available for undergraduates interested in working in research, along with go-abroad programs and internship programs.

University of California, Berkeley

The University of California at Berkeley is part of the public university system in the state of California. Its undergraduate program in engineering offers nine different programs, including the popular mechanical, civil, electrical, and materials disciplines. Additionally, students also have the option of continuing their engineering studies with an undeclared major so they can take more time to make up their minds.

Unlike the Ivy League private schools, prospective students are subject to a fair admissions process and require a competitive admission average. Once admitted, students can take advantage of numerous programs such as study abroad, or utilise the school’s professional connections and proximity to Silicon Valley to secure a summer internship.

John Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering

This university was founded in 1876 and is known for being the first research university established in the U.S.. Numerous research opportunities are located here along with scholarships and facilities such as the Rowland Centre for Astronomy and Physics. As a result, around 70% of undergraduate engineering students at John Hopkins University participate in research labs starting in their freshman year, with many publishing their findings in leading scholarly journals.

To be admitted, prospective students need to complete a universal application form. Ideally, candidates should have well-rounded profiles with achievements and goals that can benefit their communities, as well as the ability to persevere through tough problems.

University of California, Los Angeles

The Samueli School of Engineering in Los Angeles campus is part of the public university system in the state of California. Its chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineering departments all rank in the top ten programs in the U.S. Once admitted, students can choose to specialise in one of nine programs, which are bioengineering, chemical and biomolecular, civil and environmental, computer, electrical, mechanical, and materials engineering.

Additionally, the school also offers numerous research programs for undergraduate students. Programs such as the Student Research Program, SPUR, and nanoCER give students the opportunity to carry out lab work and make meaningful connections with research professors and other faculty members.

Princeton University

Princeton University is another private Ivy League University located in the town of Princeton, which is an hour drive south of New York. Along with many other faculties, the engineering school at Princeton has consistently ranked in the top ten in the world, especially for its mechanical and chemical engineering programs. Engineering students have the chance to learn the fundamentals of engineering and apply that knowledge into their own designs as well as study other subjects such as social sciences and humanities for a well-rounded undergraduate education.  

Once admitted, students can choose between one of six engineering departments that reflects their interests. Programs that cross multiple departments are also available for students with multidisciplinary interests. Ample research opportunities are also available along with internship and networking opportunities.

California Institute of Technology

The California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, is located in Pasadena – a short drive away from the city of Los Angeles. Its engineering school is home to seven departments, which are aerospace, medical, applied materials and physics, computing, electrical, environmental, and mechanical and civil. It is also home to twenty research centres, some of which include the Centre for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST), the Centre for Bioinspired Engineering (CBE), the Community Seismic Network (CSN), the Jacob Institute for Molecular Engineering for Medicine, the Kavli Nanoscience Institute, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory which is a also a NASA facility.

To apply, prospective undergraduate students need to complete an extensive application to show that they are a well-rounded candidate. Not only should he or she be academically prepared, they should also show a keen interest in science, engineering, math and technology. Once admitted, first-year students will take core classes to gain an interdisciplinary education and the communication skills required for all fields. Ample research opportunities are also available as over half of first-year Caltech students participate in research work.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public state university located in the North-eastern state of Illinois, in the city of Champaign. Its college of engineering offers fifteen programs under twelve different departments, with the civil, electrical, and mining engineering programs having been ranked in the top ten in the U.S.. Undergraduate research opportunities are also available with over sixty facilities and over 2000 interdisciplinary projects for students to participate in.

To be admitted, applicants will be reviewed on a holistic basis as well as demonstrate good SAT scores and high school class ranks. Also important is an application essay stating the reason for applying to your chosen major and any extracurricular activities or awards earned.

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