<p>My son will soon be applying to Notre Dame RD and is definitely going to major in Mechanical Engineering. He will be a competitive candidate in their applicant pool. He loves the campus, the residential college system, the tradition, the alumni network, and many other aspects of the school. His main concern is that Notre Dame's Engineering department is ranked 45th (according to USNWR) when the overall ranking of the school is so much higher. Is this one of their weaker departments?</p>
<p>He wants to get a well-rounded undergrad educational experience, but at the same time wants to know whether ND can prepare him to become a successful Mechanical Engineer versus other higher ranked Engineering schools?</p>
<p>The engineering department there is fine. It is still top 50 out of (I believe) over 600 engineering programs in the country. That isn’t bad at all. If he is that concerned with its ranking, he can certainly get a “well-rounded undergrad experience” and many of the higher ranked schools as well, but would be sacrificing going to ND, which he clearly looks forward to. Honestly, there is no reason not to go if he likes it that much.</p>
<p>In my 20+ years of working in I.T. & Engineering, I have not heard too many stories on engineers from Top-50 programs not succeeding in the industry.</p>