Some 71,000 engineers graduated from U.S. universities in 2002-2003, yet the U.S. still had to import as many as 25,000 additional foreign engineers on special visas to fill jobs…good news for students. Hopeful future engineers should ponder these tips and lists of top engineering schools in the country. And employers should take note.

Some 71,000 engineers graduated from U.S. universities in 2002-2003 — and the United States still had to import as many as 25,000 additional foreign engineers on special visas to fill jobs, reports U.S. News and World Report. That’s good news for master’s students. Here are some tips for hopeful future engineers, as well as the considered top engineering schools in the country.

First, top engineering schools make offers to about 80 students out of a field of 1,500. As such, what can hopefuls offer to join the lucky academic few? Here are some considerations from U.S. News & World Report.

Research and work. Undergraduate research ideally should be in the engineering area that the applicant hopes to pursue. Relevant work experience adds a similar boost to his or her application package.

Statement of purpose. In talking about one’s experience to date and long-term professional ambitions, focus on content rather than great writing. Of course, “sloppy writing will kill you,” says Pradeep Khosla, dean of the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Khosla cautions applicants against committing a classic blunder: logging on to the school Web site, reading about a favored professor’s work, then claiming it as their own burning interest.

Recommendations. As an applicant, approach a professor who both knows you well and is at the top of his or her field. The recommendation writer’s words must carry weight and credibility.

Fellowships. The school will often have links to fellowship opportunities (e.g., from the National Science Foundation or the Department of Defense). The applicant should not only apply, but also make sure the school knows. This shows initiative — and that the applicant might be getting some of his or her own funding.

The following are U.S. News & World Report’s 2006 top 10 undergraduate engineering programs (at schools in which the highest degree is a bachelor’s or master’s, i.e., institutions that DO NOT offer Ph.d. programs in engineering):

1. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
2. Harvey Mudd College
3. Cooper Union
4. United States Military Academy
5. United States Naval Academy
6. Cal Poly – San Louis Obispo
7. United States Air Force Academy
8. Bucknell University
9. Villanova University
10. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Finally, the following are U.S. News & World Report’s 2006 top 25 graduate schools for engineering:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2. Stanford University (CA)
3. University of California – Berkeley
4. Georgia Institute of Technology
5. University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
6. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
7. University of Southern California (Andrew and Erna Viterbi)
8. California Institute of Technology
9. Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
10. Purdue University – West Lafayette (IN)
11. University of California – San Diego (Jacobs)
12. Cornell University (NY)
13. University of Texas – Austin
14. Texas A&M University – College Station (Look)
15. University of California – Los Angeles (Samueli)
16. University of Wisconsin – Madison
17. Princeton University (NJ)
18. University of Maryland – College Park (Clark)
19. Pennsylvania State University – University Park
20. Harvard University (MA)
21. Northwestern University (IL)
22. University of California – Santa Barbara
23. Columbia University (Fu Foundation) (NY)
24. University of Washington
25. University of Florida

Sources

Techies needed
by Caroline Hsu
U.S. News & World Report

Beating the odds
U.S. News & World Report

Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
U.S.News & World Report (via Yahoo Education)

America’s Best Graduate Schools 2006: Top Engineering Schools
U.S. News & World Report