FWIW, our son is a CP mechanical engineering alum from out of state. Cal filled his inbox with assurances that he’d get in, and students from his school with lesser stats did. He simply didn’t want a school with giant lectures and heavy reliance on TAs.
As for CP grads lacking design experience, that’s certainly not been the experience of our son. He was the first new grad hired by a highly anticipated startup, was then recruited by multiple FAANG companies, and works for one now.
According to College Scorecard, CP and Drexel grads earn the same.
At the end of the day, she should go where she wants to go.