I would say a Lenovo Thinkpad (not their consumer models as the Thinkpads are high quality and being without a laptop even for a week on campus is not fun).

Integrated graphics are pretty okay now a days and can do some basic collage level modeling. If they need more a computer lab will be available.

Personally I like something that can be used as a tablet with a pen as I found that effective to write and take notes on powerpoints.

As long as it functions, to be honest most any laptop "will do" anything above and beyond is a bonus.

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I would NOT get a Mac as with the new M1 and M2 processors, running windows emulation is a real pain and most dedicated windows software will not work (especially for engineering). Before when you could bootcamp it was a different story.