Mechanical Engineering (ME) involves designing and manufacturing everything from small individual parts and devices (e.g., microscale sensors and inkjet printer nozzles) to large systems (e.g., spacecraft and machine tools). [1]

The role of a mechanical engineer is to take a product from an idea to the marketplace. In order to accomplish this, a broad range of skills are needed including mathematics, physics, material science, thermal and mechanics, and manufacturing.  the frontier of research includes Robotics, Micro Electro-mechanical Systems (MEMS), Mechatronics, Nanotechnology, Biomechanics, Acoustical engineering and etc. The industry includes health, environment, energy, security and electrical engineering. 

The top  university offering ME are [4]:  

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2. Georgia Institute of Technology
3. University of California -Berkeley
4. Standford
5. University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
6. Purdue University--West Lafayette
7. University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign
8. Cornell University
9. California Institute of Technology
10. University of Texas
11. Carnegie Mellon University
12. Princeton 

To complete undergraduate, an example course list can be found at MIT - Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (Course 2- A).

Let's look at some ME projects[3]:

• MIT - Harvesting Fresh Water from Fog (video)
• MIT - Engineering Fluids at the Nanoscale (video)
• MIT - Introduction to Robotics at MIT (video)

Reference 

1. What is Mechanical Engineering? by Columbia Engineering 
2. Mechanical Engineering at Wikipedia
3. MIT- MECHE VIDEO LIBRARY
4. Mechanical Rankings by US News​ 

Entering grade 12, the top priority is to apply for college.  Because every school's application needs filling forms, writing essay and requesting recommendation forms, it's time needing a lot of endurance and hard work to get things done.

​The following is the timeline for your reference to arrange your 12th grade: 

​September 
1. Prepare the list of school to apply. 
Create a document listing the names of the schools, the deadline of the application, links to the online application form. 
2. Talk to counselor and teacher for recommendation letters. Provide teacher with

• The recommendation letter form
• An envelop  with full address of the recipient school and postage
• A sticky notes clearly explain timeline 
• A thank you card showing your appreciation

3. Taking SAT 1 and SAT 2 test.
 In Grade 11, we already discuss to complete all SAT tests. If you haven't, you need to attend the test in October for SAT 1 and November for SAT 2. 
4. Make sure you have good GPA in the first semester of 12th grade. 

October 
1. Send out the early decision applications. 
Make sure to keep a copy of all the forms and following up with all the recommendation letter status. 
2. Follow-up all the application status making sure there is no missing materials. 
A confirmation should be received after 4 weeks the forms are sent out.
3. Prepare the interview.

November
1. Waiting for the early decisions.
2. Prepare the regular application if needed. 

December 
1. Waiting for the early decision result.
The early decision is competitive, here is an example early admission rate for class of 2020. 
3. Parent complete the tax report early and send a copy to school for financial aid. 
2. Send all the regular applications. 

January 
 Follow-up with all the application processes. 
​
February - April 
Complete the class in Grade 12. 

April 
1. Waiting for the regular decisions 
2. Make decision

July 
Prepare the attendance of the school including dorm, travels and course selections.