First, I’m not equating top mechanical engineering graduate programs with Ivy League schools, thus the reason I use the word “or”. For instance, I could be referring to a school such as University of Michigan – Ann Arbor OR Brown University. Although UM – Ann Arbor has a stronger engineering program, I would like to include other schools that may be harder to get into. I recognize that there are plenty state schools (UC Berkeley, UIUC, Georgia Tech, etc.) have great engineering programs at both the graduate and undergraduate level.
Second, I have made no claims that I am applying to schools solely based off of selectivity. I am simply asking a question regarding graduate admissions regarding various types of schools, not about what program I should be aiming for.
If this makes things clearer, I’ll rephrase my question:
Given my current academic record and other miscellaneous info that may or may not be relevant, what would be my chance at top engineering graduate program OR another school that is highly selective but not necessarily strong at engineering.