I'll give you the same advice I've given my grandchildren, three of whom are in college now.

1. Get away from home. It's time to grow up.

2. Go to a 4/5-year school to get a BS degree. Nothing less will get you a solid income in the current years. I'm a big believer in co-op programs in which you work while studying. If you can't find one of those, work your tail off to get some kind of summer job in your field.

3. Look around for the best state school program in the field you want. There are lots of good Mech Eng programs. One of my grandsons is a sophomore in one now. You don't want to go too deep in debt. However, your income with a BS degree will be worth some level of debt.

4. All engineering programs are tough. In a state school, you will be surrounded by kids who are at college to play. Some will flunk out, some will squeak by. You have to develop the discipline to ignore all that, because you are going to be working hard. Most state schools plan on a significant percentage of their engineering students dropping out. Don't be one of them.

Good luck.