<p>Wow–this is a “hot” thread. I haven’t read every detail of every post but I don’t think that anyone has yet suggested North Carolina State University for mechanical engineering–it is a very solid school where a lot of interesting research is being done but the school doesn’t have the national reputation it deserves. The admit rate is about 50% Another school that would fit the OP’s criteria is Purdue University, which does have a great reputation and about a 60% admit rate.</p>