Your GPA is what will keep you out. It’s well below the 25th percentile.
Your rigor is also “light” relative to one of the top engineering schools in the country.
If you want UIUC, I hope you get it - but think of this up front - tuition, room and board - no books, fun, pizza, etc. is $62K. So how will you afford it?
Why apply anywhere you can’t afford? You’re not going to be able to get residency….or it will be near impossible.
You better check with the school on your parent’s plan - I don’t think it will get you residency.
Now, if you took a gap year, they bought a house and you all lived in it in the state and lived in it 12 months before starting school, then yes. Buying a house as you’re already there- I don’t see how that’s going to work. But you should ask before you make any decisions in that regard.
But for residency, I’ve spoken with admissions and residency offices. With the certain benefits I have, I shouldn’t have to pay out of state tuition for more than a single semester.
Plan is to GI Bill the first year while I wait out the 12 month period.
So you like Mizzou - with this list - that’s where you’re going to end up most likely.
But Columbia is not a big city.
You like JMU - also not a big city - and it doesn’t have your major.
You should look at UMN - still a reach - but for Virginia, why not VCU which has your major (is accredited) and is in the city. Academically, it’s substitutional to JMU.
“If you are a dependent: Your family must live in or move to Illinois for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes. The in-state tuition rate would begin at the start of the next term.
If you are not a dependent: You must live in Illinois for one full year for non-educational purposes. This means that during that 12-month period, you may not enroll at any institution of higher education more than half-time.”
Is your family moving to Illinois. Buying a second home would not qualify for in state tuition.
Neither Purdue or UIUC are in a large city. U Wisconsin Madison might be worth a look and Ohio State. Both slightly easier admits and both in their state capitals.
Having had kids go OOS, I doubt that second home will grant you residency. Most colleges want you to see primary residence in their state, plus employment, taxes, car registration, voting, etc., usually for at least a year before starting college, and the primary reason of moving to that state fir a reason not related to attending college.
…additionally, you would qualify for in-state tuition at Penn State (my son is there and receives this benefit). See here: In-State Tuition – Veterans
If you were admitted to State College, it’s not in a city, but it’s one of the great college towns in the country IMO. A branch campus might also be a fine option for you (and less expensive), and if you were “State College or bust,” we have excellent PSU parents and mods on CC who can give you advice on reconsideration if needed. Good luck!