<p>AI is probably the specialty of the SEAS CS department. it may be the only thing we're <em>really</em> good at (hint - could be a good why-columbia essay point to make). Mech E is OK but the labs are a little underfunded.</p>
<p>I can't speak to the quality of the other two programs. If you're looking for strictly traditional engineering, SEAS isn't the best in the world (although it's plenty good)... it's the mixture of a liberal-arts education and the other resources available to you - DESPITE being in an engineering school - that really sets it apart.</p>