I think you need to investigate GT more. Really hard to give that up if your son gets accepted. It just has too many advantages. Especially being instate. My son’s at Michigan. Not exactly an easy school for engineering either. We heard the stories of always studying etc no social life etc. Well… It’s all bunk. He has plenty of time for parties , football games, working a job, starting a tech club, putting on a major conference etc etc. While taking 18 credits at least a semester.
Time management is key! If he’s a good student now that won’t change but engineering is really tough. Like really tough. Getting used to some lower grades Is a good thing also.
But fit is important. My son had many choices of less academic schools with less stress. He wanted to challenge himself. He also knows that the hardness of the program now will hopefully make it easier later on.